Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To establish an experimental model of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in rats and to analyze morphological alterations in the renal parenchyma utilizing an electric cautery and harmonic scalpel.


METHODS
Forty Wistar rats were used, divided in 2 experiments with 20 rats each: experiment I, LPN was performed with an electric cautery and the rats were subdivided into groups A and B; experiment II, LPN was performed with a harmonic scalpel and they were subdivided into groups C and D. The animals in groups A and C were sacrificed shortly after surgery and the remnant kidney was removed to study the following variables: necroses and degeneration. In groups B and D a laparatomy was performed for retrieval of the remnant kidney on the 14th day after surgery to analyze fibrous scarring.


RESULTS
For the variables necroses and fibrous scarring, the electric cautery creates, on average, greater width than that produced by the harmonic scalpel (p=0.0002 and p=0.0068 respectively). Regarding the variable of degeneration, we found no significant difference between the two types of scalpels (p=0.1267).


CONCLUSIONS
LPN in rats is an adequate and feasible experimental model. The electric cautery caused greater damage to remnant renal tissue when compared to harmonic scalpel.
Meyer
Fernando
F
Division of Pathology, Surgery Department,PUCPR, Brazil. fmeyer@onda.com.br
Ioshii
Sérgio Ossamu
SO
Chin
Eduardo Wei Kin
EW
Esser
Danielle Mussoi
DM
Marcondes
Renata Tomasetti
RT
Patriani
Andressa Hubar
AH
Pimpão
Bruno de Figueiredo
Bde F
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D007668:Kidney / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects*