Minimally invasive catheterization of portal and mesenteric veins and abdominal aorta for quantitative determination of portal-drained viscera metabolism in pigs

A laparoscopic catheterization of portal and ileal veins as well as abdominal aorta was performed in eight pigs under general anesthesia for quantitative determination of portal-drained viscera metabolism. Three polyurethane catheters were introduced into the target vessels through an abdominal wall cannula using the guide catheter and wire. Surgery duration, length of incisions, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. On days 7 and 30, portal vein blood flow rates were measured by paraaminohippuric acid method. On day 35, a second laparoscopy was performed to monitor the setup of intraabdominal catheters. The laparoscopic procedures were completed with a mean operative time of 82 ± 9 min, and mean total incision size was 4.5 ± 0.5 cm. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The second laparoscopy showed that position and fixation of catheters remain stable 35 d after the surgical preparation. Portal vein blood flow remained similar (P > 0.05) from 7 to 30 d after the la...