PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide and helium on renal function and morphology in a rat model. METHODS: Twenty four rats were randomized into three groups (n=8): gasless insufflation ('open', Pressure=0 mmHg), carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum at 12 mmHg, and helium pneumoperitoneum at 12 mmHg; all lasting 90 minutes.. A cystostomy was performed and the bladder was emptied. At the end of the experiment, the urine produced, a blood sample and the left kidney of each animal were collected. The following variables were obtained: serum sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine, urine volume and creatinine. The creatinine clearance was estimated for each animal. The kidneys were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and evaluated by a pathologist blinded to the groups. RESULTS: The CO2 and Helium groups did not differ in the variables evaluated. Both developed oliguria (p<0.001 vs. gasless). The CO2 group presented hyperkalemia compared to gasless (p=0.05), which did not attain significance in the helium group. Histopathological analysis revealed mild hydropic degeneration and congestion in the three groups, with no significant difference among them. CONCLUSIONS: The type of gas resulted in no difference in the variables of renal function and morphology assessed. The increase in serum potassium was only observed with CO2 insufflation suggests a combined effect of elevated intra-abdominal pressure and metabolic effects of pneumoperitoneum.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new technique for laparoscopic segmental colectomy and primary anastomosis in the left colon of rats. METHODS: Thirty rats were randomly assigned to three groups of ten animals each. All animals underwent segmental resection of the left colon and end-to-end anastomosis. In Group I, the animals underwent laparoscopic surgery with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum at a pressure of 5 mmHg. In Group II, the animals underwent pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide at a pressure of 12 mmHg. In Group III, the control group, the animals underwent open surgery. All animals were reopened on the 7th postoperative day and were evaluated for peritonitis, abscesses, anastomotic dehiscence and bowel obstruction, and the anastomosis bursting pressure was measured. RESULTS: No obstructions, peritonitis or abscesses were found in any of the animals. An animal in Group I exhibited a blocked anastomosis leakage. The average anastomosis bursting pressure in the 30 animals was 187.02 ± 68.35 mmHg. There was no significant difference in the anastomosis bursting pressure among the groups (p = 0.503) CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic experimental model was feasible and safe for segmental colectomy and anastomosis of the left colon in rats.

A elaboração da política externa brasileira é, segundo a Constituição de 1988, atribuída ao poder Executivo, restando ao Legislativo após negociações, a função de ratificar ou vetar os tratados internacionais. No entanto, mesmo reconhecendo a hegemonia do poder Executivo no processo decisório em matéria de política externa, acredito que o poder Legislativo tem uma participação efetiva no processo, ou seja, o comportamento dos parlamentares corresponde aos seus interesses. O papel de ambos poderes na formulação da política externa brasileira é mais complexo do que está estabelecido na Constituição. Nesse contexto, este artigo examina a relação entre os poderes Executivo e Legislativo na formulação da política externa relacionada com os acordos comerciais, tais como com o Mercosul e a Área de Livre Comércio das Américas (ALCA).

According to the 1988 Constitution, the elaboration of Brazilian foreign policy is attributed to the executive branch, leaving the legislative branch the role of accepting or rejecting international treaties after the negotiations have taken place. Even though the executive has a greater role on the decision-making process, I believe that the legislative branch has an efficient participation on that process. That is, the behaviour of legislators correspond to their interests. The role of both branches in the formulation of Brazilian foreign policy is more complex than the attributions stated in the Constitution. In this context, this article evaluates the relation between the executive and the legislative branches in the formulation of Brazilian foreign policy related to trade agreements such as Mercosur and Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).