PURPOSE:A porcine model has been developed to allow the real‐time imaging of radiolabeled tumor cell movement throughout the peritoneal cavity, both at rest and during carbon dioxide insufflation.METHODS:Fifteen 30‐kg domestic white female pigs were used. Under anesthesia, 15 to 20 million radiolabeled human colorectal tumor cells (LIM1215) were introduced into the peritoneal cavity under laparoscopic vision into the pelvis. Radiolabeled tumor cell movement was examined by using a 25‐cm‐diameter, low‐energy mobile gamma camera with high resolution collimator. Tumor cell movement and distribution during two hours without insufflation was examined in four pigs. Then tumor cell movement and distribution during two hours with CO2insufflation was examined in four pigs. In a further four pigs, tumor cells were then mixed with blood and injected into the peritoneal cavity and the effect of no insufflationvs. insufflation was noted. A further three pigs were examined with manipulation of the intra‐abdominal contents after injection of LIM1215 cells into the peritoneal cavity. Venting insufflating CO2was filtered for tumor cells.RESULTS:Widespread intraperitoneal distribution of tumor cells from the pelvis was identified both with CO2insufflation of the peritoneal cavity and without insufflation. Tumor cells dispersed throughout the peritoneal cavity at a slower rate without carbon dioxide insufflation. There was a differential rate of tumor cell movement to the left upper quadrant and right upper quadrant with insufflation and without insufflation. Blood within the peritoneal cavity and an extended contact of the laparoscopic trocars with the peritoneal cavity in this setting increased contamination of the trocars and trocar sites with tumor cells. Tumor cells were identified on laparoscopic instruments in all experiments. No evidence of aerosolization of tumor cells was found.CONCLUSION:Tumor cells move throughout the peritoneal cavity both at rest and during CO2insufflation. The pattern of tumor cell dispersion differs with CO2insufflation. The presence of blood and extended contact of trocars with peritoneal contents are a major factor in trocar and trocar site tumor cell contamination.