Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy with minilaparotomy and morcellation in pigs.

Summary The aim of the present study was to determine and adapt surgery procedures of nephrectomy in domestic pigs. The procedures include surgical access, vessel preparation and ligation during transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. The experimental part of the study should help optimize similar techniques in dogs. Eight transperitoneal nephrectomies were performed on eight pigs, using either the intracorporal ligation with the surgical knot and minilaparotomy or titanium clips with a mechanical morcellation. Four ports were used: one 10 mm camera port, one 10 mm and two 5 mm working ports. After dissection of the peritoneum the renal vein, renal artery and ureter were separately occluded. Once these elements were sectioned the kidney was removed in an extraction sac by minilaparotomy or mechanical morcellation. No complications occurred during all operations, therefore a conversion to classic nephrectomy was not performed. After two monthsi observations post mortem examinations revealed differences in peritoneal adhesion formation in two groups of animals.