OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to become adept at performing laparoscopic procedures within a fluid medium and at using miniature instruments in a small animal model. STUDY DESIGN: Adult female New Zealand rabbits underwent carbon dioxide laparoscopy while they were under general anesthesia with the use of 2 mm instruments. The abdominal cavity was filled with lactated Ringer's solution. Visualization of the intraabdominal organs and surgical procedures were performed below the fluid level. RESULTS: Excellent visualization of the abdominal organs below the fluid level was obtained. Several surgical tasks were accomplished, including cutting and coagulation of the uterine horns with monopolar electrocautery, creation of a defect in the mesovarium and mesometrium, extracorporeal knot tying, and intraabdominal cutting of suture material. Relatively high amounts of energy were needed during electrocautery within the liquid medium (> 25 W). Occasional fluid and gas leakage through the skin punctures was prevented with accessory clamps. CONCLUSION: Hydrolaparoscopy can be performed in the rabbit with miniature instruments. As it simulates the human intraamniotic environment, it is a useful model for the development of operative fetoscopy.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to become adept at performing laparoscopic procedures within a fluid medium and at using miniature instruments in a small animal model. STUDY DESIGN: Adult female New Zealand rabbits underwent carbon dioxide laparoscopy while they were under general anesthesia with the use of 2 mm instruments. The abdominal cavity was filled with lactated Ringer's solution. Visualization of the intraabdominal organs and surgical procedures were performed below the fluid level. RESULTS: Excellent visualization of the abdominal organs below the fluid level was obtained. Several surgical tasks were accomplished, including cutting and coagulation of the uterine horns with monopolar electrocautery, creation of a defect in the mesovarium and mesometrium, extracorporeal knot tying, and intraabdominal cutting of suture material. Relatively high amounts of energy were needed during electrocautery within the liquid medium (> 25 W). Occasional fluid and gas leakage through the skin punctures was prevented with accessory clamps. CONCLUSION: Hydrolaparoscopy can be performed in the rabbit with miniature instruments. As it simulates the human intraamniotic environment, it is a useful model for the development of operative fetoscopy.
Authors: Luc Joyeux; Allan Javaux; Mary P Eastwood; Felix R De Bie; Gert Van den Bergh; Rebecca S Degliuomini; Simen Vergote; Talita Micheletti; Geertje Callewaert; Sebastien Ourselin; Paolo De Coppi; Frank Van Calenbergh; Emmanuel Vander Poorten; Jan Deprest Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-03-17 Impact factor: 4.379