The Original Experimental Model in Rats to Study Gastric Banding Surgery

Background A new bariatric surgical experimental model in rats for aspects of investigation was created. Methods In 121 male Wistar rats with body mass 250–270 g, the original gastric banding (GB) operation was performed. Sixty days after the surgical procedure, we measured body mass and upper part of the alimentary tract patency (radiography with contrast medium). Results One hundred twenty one rats were operated on. In the study group, the mortality was 0%. A complication (incisional hernia) was found in only three cases. The average weight of the rat in the GB group on the 60th day after the surgery was 355.0 ± 4.12 g, and that in the sham-operation group was 394.0 ± 4.80 g (t test, t = 6,073, p < 0.001). The daily weight gain in sham-operated rats was 2.23 ± 0.07 g, whereas in the GB group, it was 1.60 ± 0.07 g (p < 0.02). Complete inhibition of weight gain was not observed. Conclusion The rat model of GB surgery that we created is easy to perform, repeatable, long-lasting, relatively cheap, and can be used in various experimental trials of diverse aspects of surgery in the field of obesity.