Retroperitoneal exposure of lumbar intervertebral disc in New Zealand white rabbits / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

AIM:In human being,the exposure of lumbar Intervertebral discs usually requires the anterior transperitoneal or lateral retroperitoneal approaches. To study the feasibility of retropedtoneal approach to the lumbar spine in the New Zealand white rabbits.METHODS: The experiment was carried out between April 2005 and April 2006 in the Animal Center of Changhai Hospital.Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.Thirty New Zealand white rabbits,aged 6 months old, of either gender, weighing 2.5 kg,provided by the Animal Center of Changhai Hospital,Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA [permission No.SCXK (hu) 2002-0006],were used in this study.During the experiment,the management of animals corresponded to Animal Ethical Standard.This study was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee,Changhai Hospital,Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.Transperitoneal approach was used to exposure the lumbar spine of experimental rabbits. The skin was disassociated, and a blunt dissection was made backwardly along the juncture of the maximum back muscle and external oblique muscle of abdomen,and lumbar intervertebral disc was exposed gradually.Observation index①Operative effect of exposure.②Postoperative general condition (food intake,urination and defecation,activity,incision healing and death or not).RESULTS: Thirty experimental rabbits were involved in the final analysis.①The operative effect of exposureThe dght retroperitoneal approach was chosen,with satisfactory anesthesia and excellent exposure of rabbit lateral lumbar spine. And the exposure was usually accomplished within 15 minutes, with Less bleeding and no retroperitoneal rupture. ②Postoperative general condition All animals recovered their consciousnesses within about 1 hour. They were intravenously injected continuously for supplementing blood volume,and after that,they were raised in the separate cases and were allowed to move freeLy.On the day of operation.they were fasted and forbidden to access to water.Their appetites began to decrease on the postoperative 1 day.restored from the 3rd day postoperatively and restored to normal on the 40th day postoperatively.All animals survived until after 4 weeks.They could move freely,without paralysis occurred or incontinence. There was one experimental animal whose surgical Incision broke.Debridement and resuture were given, and its wound healed. In all the other animals, the surgical incision healed well.CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal approach can give an excellent access to the lumbar spine with easy operation and less complications.