Randomized clinical trial of the effect of intraoperative humidified carbon dioxide insufflation in open laparotomy for colorectal resection

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown that peritoneal injury can be minimized by insufflating the abdominal cavity with warm humidified carbon dioxide gas. METHODS: A single‐blind RCT was performed at a tertiary colorectal unit. Inclusion criteria were patient aged 18 years and over undergoing open elective surgery. The intervention group received warmed (37°C), humidified (98 per cent relative humidity) carbon dioxide (WHCO(2) group). Multiple markers of peritoneal inflammation and oxidative damage were used to compare groups, including cytokines and chemokines, apoptosis, the 3‐chlorotyrosine/native tyrosine ratio, and light microscopy on peritoneal biopsies at the start (T(0)) and end (T(end)) of the operation. Postoperative clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Of 40 patients enrolled, 20 in the WHCO(2) group and 19 in the control group were available for analysis. A significant log(T(end)/T(0)) difference between control and WHCO(2) groups was documented for interleukin (IL) 2 (5·3 versus 2·8 respectively; P = 0·028) and IL‐4 (3·5 versus 2·0; P = 0·041), whereas apoptosis assays documented no significant change in caspase activity, and similar apoptosis rates were documented along the peritoneal edge in both groups. The 3‐chlorotyrosine/tyrosine ratio had increased at T(end) by 1·1‐fold in the WHCO(2) group and by 3·1‐fold in the control group. Under light microscopy, peritoneum was visible in 11 of 19 samples from the control group and in 19 of 20 samples from the WHCO(2) group (P = 0·006). The only difference in clinical outcomes between intervention and control groups was the number of days to passage of flatus (2·5 versus 5·0 days respectively; P = 0·008). CONCLUSION: The use of warmed, humidified carbon dioxide appears to reduce some markers related to peritoneal oxidative damage during laparotomy. No difference was observed in clinical outcomes, but the study was underpowered for analysis of surgical results. Registration number: NCT02975947 ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/).