Liver and peritoneal biopsy by laparoscopy or notes in pigs: comparison of operative parameters and postoperative evolution.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of NOTES compared to laparoscopic surgery, through the analysis of physiological parameters as well as surgical complications and postoperative outcome, for liver biopsy. METHODS 12 female pigs were divided into two groups: laparoscopy group (GLap) and NOTES group (GNote). The animals underwent liver biopsy by peritoneal laparoscopy or transvaginal endoscopy. The respiratory rate, heart rate, O2 saturation and expiratory concentrations of CO2 were recorded every 10 minutes. In the seventh postoperative day, the animals underwent laparotomy for evaluation of intra-abdominal complications. RESULTS Most of the animals showed weight loss after the procedure, however in no case more than 5%. There was no difference in percentage change in weight between the groups (p = 0.7535). Also, no differences were observed when comparing the averages of ETCO2 (p = 0.4762), and average heart rate (p = 0.6035). However, the GLap showed higher respiratory rate than the GNote (p = 0.0043), as well as the average O2 saturation (p = 0.0080). However, no animal showed SatO2 less than 87% and this difference was not considered clinically significant. Only one GNote animal presented with an operative complication. CONCLUSION NOTES is associated with physiological parameters similar to those found in operative laparoscopy. Performing transvaginal peritonioscopy is not associated with increased postoperative complications when compared to laparoscopy.