Laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in the rat: a new resectional technique.
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.
Krähenbühl
L
L
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Feodorovici
M
M
Renzulli
P
P
Schäfer
M
M
Abou-Shady
M
M
Baer
H U
HU
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats
D002245:Carbon Dioxide