Videolaparoscopic Orchiectomy and Nephrectomy: Training Model in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Videolaparoscopic surgery conducted on small animals has proved to be of great importance for the improvement of surgical skills. This is a report utilizing an experimental model for laparoscopic orchiectomy and nephrectomy in training courses for urologists. Material and Methods: Of 350 American Wistar rats enrolled, 319 animals underwent laparoscopic orchiectomy and nephrectomy under intraperitoneal general anesthesia. Graspers, dissectors, and a 0-degree telescope were introduced into the peritoneal cavity by two trocars of 5 mm and one of 10 mm, respectively. Results: Of 350 rats enrolled, 15 (4.2%) died due to anesthetic complications and 16 (4.5%) due to cannibalism and stress during transport. A total of 319 rats were operated on, 178 underwent bilateral orchiectomy, two per model (356 operations), and in 141 animals one nephrectomy per model (141 operations) was performed. A total of 497 operations were performed involving 140 urologists. The animals were easy to handle providing adequate practice without the occurrence of any major intraperitoneal lesion and hemorrhage. Conclusion: Ne- phrectomy and orchiectomy are feasible in rats, and this model can be utilized for training videolaparoscopic surgeries.