Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Technique of Porcine Liver Procurement and Orthotopic Transplantation using an Active Porto-Caval Shunt
Published on: May 7, 2015
Peroral transgastric organ resection: a feasibility study in pigs
Benjamin F Merrifield1, Mihir S Wagh, Christopher C Thompson
1Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Background:
The feasibility of peroral transgastric peritoneoscopy, liver biopsy, and tubal ligation has been demonstrated in prior animal studies. This approach has the potential to reduce postoperative morbidity.
Objective:
To explore the technical challenges and complications of performing a transgastric organ resection.
Design:
Two-week animal survival study.
Interventions:
Five female Yorkshire pigs underwent peroral transgastric partial hysterectomy. With the animals under general anesthesia, a sterile esophageal overtube was placed and a gastric antibiotic lavage was performed. Subsequently, a needle-knife and through-the-scope dilating balloon were used to make an anterior gastric wall incision through which a therapeutic gastroscope was advanced into the peritoneal cavity. Endoscopes and instruments previously had been disinfected in a 2.4% glutaraldehyde bath or were disposable. An endoloop and polypectomy snare were used to resect a portion of the uterus, which was removed through the mouth. Gastric incision closure was attempted with endoclips. After 2 weeks of observation, necropsy was performed.
Results:
Transgastric partial hysterectomy was performed on all 5 animals. One animal became lethargic and febrile, so necropsy was performed on day 4. An incompletely closed gastric incision and suppurative peritonitis were found. A second animal developed a fever; necropsy performed on day 14 revealed a gastric abscess at the incision site and scattered abdominal pus. No complications were encountered in the 3 remaining animals, and necropsy revealed well-healed gastric incisions and no evidence of peritonitis.
Conclusion:
Endoscopic transgastric partial hysterectomy is technically feasible in a porcine model. Strict sterility seems mandatory but cannot always be assured. Incomplete closure of the gastric incision may lead to significant complications.
