Laparoscopic vagotomy using mini-instruments in the rat: A new laparoscopic small animal model

Abstract

Purpose. Animal models are necessary for research, technical developments, and training purposes in laparoscopic surgery. Although various operations on small animals have been described, there is still a need for a simple and practical laparoscopic small animal model. We acknowledged truncal vagotomy as a simple procedure, and aimed to develop a model of laparoscopic truncal vagotomy (LTV) in the rat, an inexpensive and easily available animal.