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Updated: Oct 26, 2026
Re-Arterialized Rat Partial Liver Transplantation with an in vivo Vessel-Oriented 70% Hepatectomy
Published on: April 8, 2018
Laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in the rat: a new resectional technique
L Krähenbühl1, M Feodorovici, P Renzulli
1Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Background:
Rats are widely used for basic research in laparoscopic surgery. We have developed a new technique of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in the rat.
Methods:
40 American Cancer Institute rats were randomized into 3 groups. Group A (n = 14) underwent laparoscopic liver resection using a CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Group B (n = 14) was operated on with a gasless laparoscopic technique using a lifting device. A control group C (n = 12) underwent conventional open liver resection. In each group half of the animals underwent single lobectomy and the other half bilobectomy.
Results:
The liver resection was performed successfully in all 40 rats. No conversion to open surgery was necessary. No mortality or morbidity was observed.
Conclusions:
This new technique of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy proved to be feasible and safe. It is the first description of a laparoscopic hepatic resection in the rat that could prove valuable in further investigations of liver physiology and pathology.
