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Laparoscopic surgery in a small animal model. A simplified technique of retroperitoneal dissection in the rat
B A Sandoval1, T T Sulaiman, A V Robinson
1Department of Surgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, OH 44106, USA.
Background:
An adequate laparoscopic small-animal model would benefit surgical oncologic research. Immunobiologic data and reagents available for the rodent make them an ideal species. We developed a simple, inexpensive, reproducible technique for laparoscopic surgery in rodents.
Methods:
Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is achieved in anesthetized animals. Through a 0.5-cm midline incision a 4.8-mm bronchofiberscope is inserted into the peritoneal cavity and secured with a purse-string suture (PSS). Three additional PSSs are made to introduce the dissectors. Under fiberscopic vision, a blunt dissection of the retroperitoneum exposes the inferior vena cava and aorta. Necropsy 24 h after verifies the adequacy of dissection.
Results:
Eighteen animals survived. The only death resulted from bleeding. Mortality was 5.26%. Surgical time was 24.72 +/- 8.93 min with all animals active 2 h postlaparoscopy.
Conclusions:
Laparoscopic surgery (LS) can be done inexpensively without sophisticated equipment. The rodent is ideal for examining the immunologic consequences of laparoscopic surgery and pneumoperitoneum.