LAPAROSCOPIC CECAL LIGATION AND PUNCTURE IN THE RAT - SURGICAL TECHNIQUE AND PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Background: We describe a technique of laparoscopic cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in the rat analogous to open CLP which may facilitate the study of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and peritonitis. Methods : Forty-four rats were randomized to either laparoscopic or open CLP a nd their 3-day mortality was recorded. Autopsies were performed for pe ritoneal fluid cultures, measurement of the length of ligated cecum, a nd scoring of the degree of cecal necrosis. Results: Laparoscopic CLP required slightly longer operating times compared to open CLP (average 15.6 vs 13.1 min, p = 0.002). Three-day postoperative mortality was 3 6.4% and 22.7% for open and laparoscopic CLP, respectively (p = NS). T here were no differences in the length of ligated cecum or the cecal n ecrosis score between the open and laparoscopic CLP groups. Conclusion : Laparoscopic CLP is feasible and produces a fecal peritonitis with s imilar characteristics to those of traditional open CLP.