title: Use of LigaSure™ on bile duct in rats: an experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The closure of a cystic duct during cholecystectomy by means of radiofrequency is still controversial. We report our preliminary experimental results with the use of LigaSure™ on common bile duct in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty Wistar rats weighing 70 to 120 g were employed for this study. The animals were all anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine and then divided into three groups. The first group (10 rats, Group C) underwent only laparotomy and isolation of the common bile duct. The second (10 rats, Group M) underwent laparotomy and closure of the common bile duct (CBD) with monopolar coagulation. The third group (10 rats, Group L) underwent laparotomy and sealing of the common bile duct with two application of LigaSureTM. Afterwards, all rats were kept in comfortable cages and were administered dibenzamine for five days. They were all sacrificed on day 20. Through a laparotomy, the liver and bile duct were removed for histological examination. Blood samples were obtained to dose bilirubin, amylase and transaminase levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mortality rate was 0 in the control group (C), 3/10 rats in group M and 0 in group L. In group L, the macroscopic examination showed a large choledochocele (3-3.5 × 1.5 cm) with few adhesions. At the histological examination there was optimal sealing of the common bile duct in 9/10 rats. In group M, 2/10 rats had liver abscesses, 3/10 rats had choledochocele and 5/10 rats, biliary peritonitis. There was intense tissue inflammation and the dissection was difficult. Analyses of blood samples showed an increase in total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in groups M and L.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preliminary results of our study confirm that radiofrequency can be safely used for the closure of the common bile duct. The choledochocele obtained with this technique could represent a good experimental model. These results could be a further step for using the LigaSureTM in clipless cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy - antonio.marte@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marte
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pintozzi
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000473:pathology; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin