LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY IN A SMALL ANIMAL-MODEL - A SIMPLIFIED TECHNIQUEOF RETROPERITONEAL DISSECTION IN THE RAT

Background: An adequate laparoscopic small-animal model would benefit surgical oncologic research. Immunobiologic data and reagents availabl e for the rodent make them an ideal species, We developed a simple, in expensive, reproducible technique for laparoscopic surgery in rodents. Methods: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is achieved in anesthetized animals. Through a 0.5-cm midline incision a 4.8-mm bronchofiberscope is inserted into the peritoneal cavity and secured with a purse-string suture (PSS). Three additional PSSs are made to introduce the dissect ors. Under fiberscopic vision, a blunt dissection of the retroperitone um exposes the inferior vena cava and aorta. Necropsy 24 h after verif ies the adequacy of dissection. Results: Eighteen animals survived, Th e only death resulted from bleeding. Mortality was 5.26%. Surgical tim e was 24.72 +/- 8.93 min with all animals active 2 h postlaparoscopy. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery (LS) can be done inexpensively witho ut sophisticated equipment. The rodent is ideal for examining the immu nologic consequences of laparoscopic surgery and pneumoperitoneum.