Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Background Vessel sealing devices provide rapid hemostasis and may reduce tissue trauma. Although they have been evaluated in rabbit ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy, their use during orchiectomy in pet rabbits has not been investigated, and postoperative pain has not previously been assessed using the Rabbit Pain Behavior Scale (RPBS). To compare the effects of a vessel sealing device (Ligasure) and conventional suture ligation (Suture) on surgical duration, physiological variables, recovery time, and postoperative pain in client-owned pet rabbits undergoing elective orchiectomy. Methods Twelve healthy intact male pet rabbits were allocated to either Suture or Ligasure groups. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded before anesthesia and after surgery. Surgical and recovery times were measured. Postoperative pain was independently assessed by two blinded observers using the RPBS. Physiological variables and pain scores were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, whereas surgical and recovery times were compared using Welch's two-sample <italic>t</italic> -tests. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Surgical duration was significantly shorter in the LigaSure than in the Suture (p < 0.001), whereas recovery time did not differ. Physiological variables changed significantly over time but were unaffected by surgical technique. Interobserver agreement for RPBS scoring was excellent (ICC = 0.93). Rabbits treated with LigaSure had significantly lower postoperative pain scores throughout the observation period ( <italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Conclusions Vessel sealing devices significantly reduced surgical duration and postoperative pain without adversely affecting physiological stability or anesthetic recovery, supporting their use as an effective alternative to conventional ligation for elective rabbit orchiectomy. </p>