Effect of Oxygen Pneumoperitoneum on Hypoxia Tolerance in Beagle Dogs: An Experimental Study

Abstract Background: When an airway is difficult to manage during surgery, it can be fatal. Thus, peritoneum oxygenation may be theoretically feasible as an alternative route to supply oxygen. The objective of this study is to investigate whether artificial oxygen pneumoperitoneum combined with abdominal lifting and compression is effective in systemic oxygenation and hypoxia tolerance in a beagle dog model of asphyxia. Methods: Latin Square design was adopted. Eight adult female beagle dogs were divided into four subgroups; they received four treatments in sequence in four sessions at 1-week intervals. The pre-treatment procedures included general anesthesia and a pause in ventilation to establish an asphyxia model. Each subgroup was subjected to the treatments as follows: negative control(A), artificial oxygen pneumoperitoneum(B), artificial oxygen pneumoperitoneum combined with abdominal lifting and compression from the 1st minute after asphyxia(C), or the same as C but starting the method from the 5th minute(D). Vital signs, important organ functions, and arterial blood gas were monitored. Hypoxia tolerance was assessed by the asphyxia time (from pause to restoration of ventilation) and PaO2 levels at 0, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 minutes after asphyxia onset. Results: The physiological status of the beagles was approximately identical before each experiment and the treatments did not aggravate the impact of hypoxia. The asphyxia time for treatments A, B, C, and D were 9.65 ± 1.10 min, 11.18± 0.50min, 11.45 ± 0.79min, and 11.70 ± 0.99min, respectively; the time was lengthened in treatments B, C, and D, compared with that in treatment A (P<0.01). Moreover, PaO2 levels at 9 and 10 min were higher in treatments B, C, and D than in treatment A (P<0.01). Conclusions: Artificial oxygen pneumoperitoneum combined with abdominal lifting and compression appears safe and effective and may improve systemic oxygenation and enhance hypoxia tolerance.