COMPARISON OF ISOBARIC AND INSUFFLATED LAPAROSCOPY-ASSISTED OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN THE COMMON RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)

Abstract

Surgical sterilization of female rabbits can be associated with a significant risk of postoperative morbidity. Laparoscopic ovariectomy has been reported previously to address this issue. The aim of the current study is to assess whether an isobaric (ISO) technique, utilizing an abdominal lifting technique, rather than insufflation (INS) technique, which involves pressurizing the abdomen, is feasible in this species. Four rabbit cadavers were used to subjectively compare the viability of the 2 techniques. Seven rabbit cadavers were used to assess the effects of ISO and insufflated pneumoperitoneum on the dimensions of the abdomen and the volume of the thorax at atmospheric and positive inspiratory pressures using CT imaging. There was a significantly higher (P = 0.006) difference between baseline and pneumoperitoneum thoracic volume in the ISO specimens versus the INS specimens. There was no significant difference in abdominal height in either technique and both afforded adequate working space. The implementation of ISO laparoscopy-assisted ovariohysterectomy was subjectively no more technically difficult than INS laparoscopy-assisted ovariohysterectomy in the rabbit. Based on this investigation, ISO laparoscopy is feasible and requires less specialized equipment compared with insufflated laparoscopy, making it more available in a general practice setting and for routine surgery. Use of ISO laparoscopy could potentially decrease ventilatory compromise compared with insufflated laparoscopy in rabbits.