Influence of pneumoperitoneum on tumor growth and pattern of intra-abdominal tumor spreading: in vivo study of a murine model.

Abstract

The results of this animal study imply that presence of a pneumoperitoneum enhances the implantation and growth of free intraperitoneal malignant colon cancer cells in this in vivo mouse model. The results of the current study suggest that insufflation during pneumoperitoneum may play an important role in the development of peritoneal dissemination when there are free tumor cells in the intra-abdominal cavity, and the effect of using CO2 might be greater than that of using helium.