A model for laparoscopic aortic aneurysm resection

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) could improve the perioperative course of patients suffering from this disease. The goal of the current experiment was to develop an animal model that could simulate many of the difficulties encountered in the treatment of human AAA. METHODS: Twelve piglets were submitted to a laparotomy. An AAA was created by suturing a 12- by 5-cm piece of knitted dacron to an aortotomy. Four to 15 days later, the piglets underwent the laparoscopic treatment of their AAA. RESULTS: All procedures were completed successfully. The average duration of the laparoscopic intervention was 210 min (range, 150-300 min). Aortic cross-clamping took 55 min (range, 38-72 min). Blood loss averaged 150 ml (range, 80-250 ml). During each procedure, four to six lumbar arteries were treated by intraluminal aortic clip application. Intraoperative complications consisted of one splenic trauma, one anastomotic stenosis, and one case of bleeding from a lumbar vein. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic AAA resection is feasible in this animal model, which presents similarities to human AAA.