Pathogenesis of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum-induced metabolic hypoxemia in a rabbit model

To investigate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum-induced changes in blood gases, acid-base balance, and oxygen homeostasis in rabbits. Prospective, randomized, controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification I). University training and teaching center. Twenty-six adult female New Zealand white rabbits. Anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum. In anesthetized rabbits arterial blood gases, acid-base balance, oxygenation values, and lactate concentrations were assayed during 2 hours. Spontaneous breathing, superficial and optimal ventilation without pneumoperitoneum, and with pneumoperitoneum at low (6 mm Hg) and higher (10 mm Hg) insufflation pressures were compared. The CO(2) pneumoperitoneum profoundly affected blood gases, acid-base balance, and oxygen homeostasis. Carboxemia with increasing end-tidal CO(2) and partial pressure of CO(2) (p