Sleeve Gastrectomy in Mice Using Disposable Ligature Clips

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Obesity Research
• Animal Models

Background:

• Traditional mouse models of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) utilize manual suturing, presenting challenges like extended operative times, high mortality, and a steep learning curve.
• These technical demands limit the accessibility of SG models for non-surgical researchers investigating bariatric surgery mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a simplified sleeve gastrectomy (SG) protocol in mice using disposable ligature clips.
• To assess the procedural efficiency, survival rates, and metabolic outcomes of the clip-based SG method compared to traditional suturing.

Main Methods:

• A novel SG protocol was established utilizing disposable ligature clips, a technique common in clinical gastrointestinal surgery.
• Diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice underwent either clip-based or suture-based SG.
• Operative times, 12-week survival, weight loss, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic steatosis were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The clip-based SG approach reduced mean operative time by over 50% compared to traditional suturing (20.9 ± 3.2 vs. 43.9 ± 3.0 min).
• Clip-based SG demonstrated significantly improved 12-week survival rates.
• Equivalent metabolic outcomes were achieved, including sustained weight loss, improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and reduced hepatic steatosis.

Conclusions:

• The clip-based sleeve gastrectomy (SG) method offers a more efficient and accessible model for studying bariatric surgery in mice, particularly for researchers lacking advanced surgical training.
• This technique yields comparable metabolic benefits to suture-based methods while improving procedural efficiency and survival.
• While suture-based techniques may offer greater clinical translatability, the clip-based method enhances reproducibility and accessibility for mechanistic research in bariatric surgery.