The effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure on bacterial translocation

In this study, we investigated the effect of different values of intra-abdominal pressure on bacterial translocation. Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups. The animals belonging to the Control group were not subjected to any increased intra-abdominal pressure. In groups I, II and III, an intra-abdominal pressure of 14, 20, and 25 mmHg, respectively, was established by carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum for a period of 60 minutes. Four hours after the pneumoperitoneum, all animals were sacrificed to evaluate the degree of bacterial translocation at this time. Liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were excised under sterile conditions. Bacterial growth was assessed using standard bacteriological techniques and compared statistically. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the statistical analysis. Different amounts of bacterial growth were found in all of the animals subjected to increased intra-abdominal pressure, except for the controls. Bacterial translocation was detected at an intra-abdominal pressure of 14 mmHg but this finding was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant increase in bacterial growth in animals subjected to an intra- abdominal pressure of 20 mmHg or above (p < 0.001). As a result, we found that bacterial translocation started when the intra-abdominal pressure reached a level of 14 mmHg. Patients should be closely monitored for septic complication risks following laparoscopic procedures in which the intra-abdominal pressure exceeds 20 mmHg.