Related Policies and
Guidance
Definitions:
- Survival
/ nonsurvival surgery:
Nonsurvival surgery involves procedures where the animal is euthanized without
recovery from anesthesia. All other surgeries are considered survival surgery.
- Major
surgery: Major survival
surgery penetrates and exposes a body cavity or produces substantial impairment
of physical or physiologic functions (such as laparotomy, thoracotomy,
craniotomy, joint replacement, and limb amputation).
- Minor
surgery: Minor survival surgery
does not expose a body cavity and causes little or no physical impairment (such
as wound suturing; peripheral-vessel cannulation; vascular catheter
implantation; subcutaneous pump implantation; subcutaneous implantation of
tumor cells, and most procedures routinely done on an
"outpatient" basis in veterinary clinical practice).
Nonsurvival surgery
At a minimum in
nonsurvival surgery, the surgical site should be clipped, the surgeon should
wear gloves, and the instruments and surrounding area should be clean.
Minor surgery
Minor procedures
are often performed under less-stringent conditions than major procedures but
still require aseptic technique, instruments, appropriate anesthesia and
analgesia (if indicated).
Multiple major survival surgery
Multiple major
survival surgical procedures on a single animal are discouraged but may be
permitted if scientifically justified in an approved AUP. For example, multiple
major survival surgical procedures can be justified if they are related
components of a research project, if they will conserve scarce animal
resources, or if they are needed for clinical reasons. If multiple major
survival surgery is approved, particular attention must be made to animal
well-being through continuing evaluation of outcomes. Cost savings alone is not
an adequate reason for performing multiple major survival surgical procedures.
Animal Use Protocols
It must be clearly stated within the Animal Use Protocol
whether the surgical procedures should be classified as non-survival or survival,
minor or major, and if there will be multiple major survival surgeries. Protocols
must include a description of the procedure that addresses the use of aseptic
technique, anesthetics, recovery, and analgesia (see “Guidance 529-260, Aseptic
Rodent Surgery” for more information). If applicable, a rigorous justification
for the use of multiple survival surgeries must be included. All protocols
involving survival surgery will be discussed at a convened meeting of the
IACUC.
Surgical Facilities
- Rodent surgery: survival surgery on rodents does not
require special facilities and may be done in a laboratory under appropriate
conditions if approved by the IACUC. The area must be easily sanitized, clean
and uncluttered and not used for any other purpose during the time of surgery. Further
details regarding rodent surgery can be found in Guidance 529-260, Aseptic
Rodent Surgery.
- Non-mammalian surgery: requirements for survival surgery on
non-mammalian species will be reviewed in a case-by-case manner. At a minimum,
surgery on non-mammalian vertebrate species should adhere to the facility
requirements placed on rodent surgery.
- Other mammalian species: major survival surgery on non-rodent
mammals requires a dedicated suite of 3 rooms and aseptic technique. Consultation
with the Campus Veterinarian is recommended during the planning stages of such
a facility, as well as during preparation of the AUP covering such procedures. Minor
surgical procedures can be performed under less stringent conditions if they are
performed in accordance with standard veterinary practices.
Record keeping
Surgical records must
include the timing and dose of anesthetic administration, notations indicating
monitoring of anesthetic prior to and during surgical procedures, and the timing
and results of monitoring during anesthetic recovery. If the associated
experimental data does not inherently include a record of the surgical
procedure, then the surgical record should include a short description of the
procedure.
Aseptic technique
Aseptic technique
includes preparation of the animal, such as hair removal and disinfection of
the operative site (typically three alternating scrubs of Betadine and
alcohol); preparation of the surgeon, such as decontaminated surgical attire,
surgical scrub, and sterile surgical gloves; sterilization of instruments,
supplies, and implanted materials; and the use of operative techniques to
reduce the likelihood of infection. See “Guidance 529-260: Aseptic
Rodent Surgery” for more information.
Anesthetic
The dose (mg/kg),
vehicle and volume of anesthetic must be listed on the AUP, including potential
supplemental dosing information and the criteria for administering it. A system
for monitoring the anesthetic depth, physiologic function and assessment of clinic
signs and conditions must be outlined in the AUP and employed during surgical
procedures. See “Guidance 529-349: Guidelines for Rodent Anesthesia and
Analgesia” for more information.
Animal Maintenance
For many species,
as soon as the animal is anesthetized, ophthalmic ointment should be applied to
the eyes to protect the corneas.
Because of the
cardiovascular and respiratory disturbances caused by anesthetic agents,
equipment needed to maintain normal body temperature should be obtained and its
use delineated in the AUP. See “Guidance 529-260: Aseptic Rodent Surgery”
for more information.
Surgery
It is important
that individuals involved in a surgery have had appropriate training to ensure
that good surgical technique is practiced. Training should include maintenance
of asepsis, gentle tissue handling, techniques for minimal dissection of
tissue, appropriate use of instruments, effective hemostasis, and correct use
of suture materials and patterns. See “Guidance 529-260: Aseptic Rodent
Surgery” for more information.
Recovery
During the
anesthetic-recovery period, attention should be given to thermoregulation,
cardiovascular and respiratory function, and postoperative pain or discomfort. A
system must be clearly outlined in the AUP that defines the parameters to be
monitored, including the criteria for intervention and a description of that
intervention. Typically, this includes response to stimuli, depth and quality
of breathing, and monitoring of temperature. For after anesthetic-recovery,
monitoring is often less intense but must include attention to basic biologic functions
of intake and elimination and behavioral signs of postoperative pain,
monitoring for postsurgical infections, monitoring of the surgical incision,
bandaging as appropriate, and timely removal of skin sutures, clips or staples.
Vivaria Surgical Records
Rodent Surgical Cards
must be annotated with the procedure and date. Anesthetic, analgesic,
antibiotic administration and animal's condition must also be annotated on the surgical
cage card.
Analgesics
Pain is a stressor
and, if not relieved, can lead to unacceptable levels of stress and distress in
animals. The proper use of anesthetics and analgesics in research animals is an
ethical and scientific imperative. Preoperative or intraoperative
administration of analgesics should be considered as they may enhance
postsurgical analgesia. See “529-349: “Guidelines for Rodent Anesthesia
and Analgesia” for additional information. Subsequent monitoring of animals must include the administration of
analgesia in response to behavioral manifestations of pain or distress, unless
a scientific justification is provided in the AUP and approved by the IACUC. Indicators
of pain and distress are species specific, but can include vocalization,
abnormal appearance or posture, and immobility. Unless the contrary is
established, it should be assumed that procedures that cause pain in humans
also cause pain in animals.
Updated: 12/9/04, 4/6/09, 8/13/12, 9/20/21