PURPOSE: To describe a model of laparoscopic esplenectomy in rats. METHODS: Thirty-five male rats Rattus Norvegicus Albinus Wistar weighing 250 +/- 50 g were used in this study. The animals were 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 spleen was approached directly by dissection of the gastrosplenic ligament. Hilar vessels were blunty dissected close to the spleen using Maryland and Hook. A bag was then introduced into the abdominal cavity and the spleen slipped inside. The organ could be removed through a port of site. RESULTS: One animal (2,86%) died at the anaesthetic induction. After an eight-day observation period, 30 animals survived (85,7%) and four (11,42%) died immediately after the surgery. In relation to complications, nine rats showed adhesions in left upper quadrant. CONCLUSIONS: This laparoscopic splenectomy is feasible and it is an excellent training model. Besides low cost and easy availability, the rat model requires less financial efforts.
Laparoscopic surgery; Splenectomy; Rat
