Animal Subjects in Research : Surgical Guidelines

Guide For Evaluating Surgical Protocols

All surgical protocols should list the names, qualifications and responsibilities of participating personnel i.e. surgeon, anesthetist, post op care, etc. The location where the surgery will be performed should be given.

Surivival Surgery

1. Description of surgical procedure in detail including:

*Length and location of incision.
*Organs involved.
*Instrumentation and/or implants used.
*Type and method of skin closure

2. Anesthesia:

*Duration of fasting (with scientific rationale if longer than 24 hours).
*Pre-anesthetic drug(s) with dose in mg./kg., route, and frequency of administration.
If more than one drug is used, they cannot be mixed together until time of administration.
If an inhalant is used, the induction dose as well as the maintenance dose should be given. Provision for scavenging anesthetic gas should be listed.
*Expected duration of anesthesia. If anesthesia is prolonged (over one hour?) a detailed list of supportive treatment should be given. i.e. electrolytes, corneal protection, heat source, alimentation, respirator.
*Will a neuro-muscular drug be given? Dose route and frequency of administration listed. Detail methods of monitoring vital signs and frequency of observations. List names and qualifications of participants providing the monitoring.

3. Post-operative care:

*Where will the animal be kept during its recovery period? Should be proximal to surgery facility.
*List frequency of observation and assurance that participants are knowledgeable about post-operative
care.
*Assurance that supportive treatments necessary for successful recovery are available. i.e. electrolytes, stimulants anesthetic antagonists. List dosages, route and frequency of drugs.
*Discuss the information to be kept in the records and frequency of observations. This should vary according to the nature of the procedure being performed.

4. ALL SURVIVAL SURGERY MUST BE DONE USING ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE

*Surgical site clipped or debrided, surgical scrub of site.
*Surgeon(s) wear cap, mask, sterile gown and sterile gloves.
*Sterile drapes and sterile instruments are used.
*Rodent survival surgery: Sterile gloves and mask required, cap and gown are optional. One sterile instrument pack can be used on up to five rodents, providing sterility is maintained between each animal. Dedicated surgical facility not required.
*Field study survival surgeries must be performed using aseptic technique. Sterile mask, gloves and instruments are required. A dedicated surgical facility is not required.

5. Major survival surgery in non-rodents must be done in a dedicated surgical facility.

*Major surgery-invading a body cavity, amputation of appendage or altering the physiology of the animal in any way.

6. Minor survival surgeries and all rodent survival surgeries may be done in a clean, non-dedicated facility using aseptic technique.

7. Multiple survival surgical procedures on an animal may be permitted if:

*the procedures are related components of a research project.
*they involve conservation of scarce animal resources.
*they are needed for clinical reasons.
*cost savings alone is not a sufficient justification.

8. Pharmaceutical grade materials must always be used.

Non-Survival Surgery

1. The same requirements hold here with the following exceptions:

*Aseptic technique is not necessary. Clean instruments and a clean environment are preferred.
*There is no need for post-operative management.
*Methods of euthanasia to be used must be listed, along with dose and route of administration for any drugs.
*If the animal will be kept alive during the experiment for a period of time long enough for infection to develop, it might be prudent to require the P I to use aseptic techniques.