Surgical technique of a vertical sleeve gastrectomy in mice

The prevalence of morbid obesity is increasing. In failing of conservative methods to weight reduction, one effective surgical option is the sleeve gastrectomy. Aim of this study was to show the feasibility of simplified surgical techniques of sleeve gastrectomy in normal weight mice as base model for surgery in super-obese mice.

In an animal study, 15 male C57/Bl6 mice were randomized into two groups of 5 (1) and 10 animals (2) to undergo sleeve gastrectomy with antidromic suture course. The sutures of the tubular stomach were performed from aborally to orally in group 1 and from orally to aborally in group 2. Mean body weight was 20.8 ± 0.6 g. Body weight was recorded daily for 14 days after surgery and weekly for further 10 weeks.

In our study, 12 of 15 animals survived the procedure and follow-up period. Out of group 1, two mice died because of leakage of the gastric sleeve with diffuse peritonitis. Out of group 2, one animal died seven weeks after surgery due to an abscess in the abdominal wall. Regarding the weight charts, there was a decrease until the third postoperative day with continuous increase thereafter.

The presented model of sleeve gastrectomy is feasible in mice with low mortality and tolerable morbidity. The simplified model enables short operation times, which is decisive especially in obese mice.