Comparison between coelioscopy and coeliotomy for liver biopsy in channel catfish.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate endoscopic liver biopsy and compare that technique with a standard coeliotomy biopsy technique in fish.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
30 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).


METHODS
10 fish were randomly assigned into control, coeliotomy, and coelioscopy groups. Anesthesia was performed with a recirculating anesthesia machine. Body weight, PCV, and total protein (TP) concentration in blood as well as plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase were measured before and after surgery. Standard ventral coeliotomy or coelioscopy was performed, and the biopsy specimens were scored histologically.


RESULTS
Coeliotomy and coelioscopy procedures were well tolerated without acute deaths. Blood TP concentration and PCV decreased after surgery in the coelioscopy group because of intracoelomic fluid administration to aid visualization. Minor changes in activities for hepatic and muscular enzyme activities were apparent, but were not significantly different between the coelioscopy and coeliotomy groups. Coelioscopy and coeliotomy yielded biopsy specimens of similar diagnostic quality. However, coelioscopy permitted a more extensive evaluation of the viscera, and all 10 surgical wounds healed completely, compared with severe wound dehiscence in 3 of 10 fish that underwent coeliotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Both coelioscopy and coeliotomy were capable of yielding antemortem liver biopsy specimens of diagnostic quality in catfish. Coelioscopy permitted a more detailed examination of the coelomic viscera through a smaller surgical incision, was less traumatic, and resulted in decreased wound dehiscence.
Boone
S Shaun
SS
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Hernandez-Divers
Stephen J
SJ
Radlinsky
Maryann G
MG
Latimer
Kenneth S
KS
Shelton
James L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D007059:Ictaluridae / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D001798:Blood Proteins