Cecal Resection with Bipolar Sealing Devices in a Rat Model

Area of Science:

• Surgical innovation
• Experimental surgery
• Animal models

Background:

• Bipolar sealing devices are standard for vascular sealing.
• Their efficacy in colonic sealing for appendectomy models is unexplored.
• Rats serve as a model for evaluating experimental appendectomy techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and safety of colonic sealing using bipolar energy devices.
• To compare bipolar sealing devices against linear staplers in a rat appendectomy model.
• To evaluate the mechanical strength and histological outcomes of colonic sealing.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-five male Wistar rats underwent cecal resection using four bipolar devices or a linear stapler.
• Specimens were harvested immediately or on postoperative day 7.
• Bursting pressure, clinical examination, hydroxyproline levels, and histopathology were assessed.

Main Results:

• No mortality or insufficiencies were observed.
• Bipolar devices showed comparable results, with bursting pressure increasing by 30.8% from day 0 to day 7.
• Linear staplers yielded higher bursting pressures but more ischemic necrosis histopathologically.

Conclusions:

• Cecal resection and sealing with bipolar energy devices is feasible and safe in a rat appendectomy model.
• Different bipolar energy devices produced similar outcomes in this study.
• Further investigation into early-stage wound healing mechanisms is required before human clinical application.