High-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum Aggravates Surgery-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Mice

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after surgery, especially in aged patients. Neuroinflammation has been closely associated with the development of POCD. While the contribution of pneumoperitoneum to the systemic inflammation has been well documented, the effect of pneumoperitoneal pressure on neuroinflammation and postoperative cognitive function remains unclear. In this study, we showed that high-pressure pneumoperitoneum promoted the postoperative neuroinflammation and microglial activation in the hippocampus and aggravated the postoperative cognitive impairment in aged mice. These results support the requirement to implement interventions with lower intra-abdominal pressure, which allows for adequate exposure of the operative field rather than a routine pressure.