PURPOSE: To describe a model of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in rats. METHODS: 35 male rats Rattus Norvegicus albinus Wistar weighing 250 +/- 50 g were used in this study. The animals were anaesthetised with ketamin and xilasin and insufflated with PCO2 of 7 mmHg through a Veress needle. After the pneumoperitoneum, two 5 mm and a 11 mm trocars were passed through the abdominal wall, so as to form a triangular geometrical figure. The ligature of three hepatic lobes (left, median left and median right) was done with Endoloop and the electrocoagulation of hemorrhagic spots with the hook. The animals were sacrificed after an eight-day observation period. RESULTS: Three animals (8,6%) died at the anaesthetic induction. After an eight-day observation period, 30 animals survived (85,7%) and only 2 (5,7%) died immediately after the surgery. In relation to complications, granuloma was observed in 54,3% (n=19). No conversion to open surgery was necessary. CONCLUSION: The model of laparoscopic partial hepatectomy in rats using surgical material similar to that used in humans is doable for surgeons' training and improvement.
Laparoscopic surgery; Partial hepatectomy; Rats
