Damy S, Soares LA, Otoch JP, Cabral RH, Osaka JT and Poli de Figueiredo LF. Embalmed swine for education and training in surgical techniques [abstract]. ALTEX. 2009;26(Special Issue):219-220. Abstract 317


Abstract

To optimize animal use for surgical training, we present our experience at the University of São Paulo with embalmed swine. Thirty two anesthetized swine (Thiopental [180 μg/kg/min] and Fentanyl [0.08 μg/kg/min]), received heparin (2.500 UI) after being used in advanced surgical trainings by residents and euthanasia was performed with anesthesia overdose and supersaturated solution of potassium chloride intravenously. The vascular system was then flushed using saline solution through the left common carotid artery before the perfusion of a modified Larssen solution (100 ml/kg). The left jugular vein was used for the circulatory system drainage. Embalmed corpses were preserved at a temperature of -20ºC. When needed the swine were defrosted to ambient temperatures for 48 hours. The embalmed models have been tested with great success for the following surgical exercises: suture of cutaneous remnants; tenorrhaphies; surgeries of the spine; access to the cranial socket; pulmonary resection, bronchus anastomosis; gastric procedures; digestive endoscopy, mucosal resection and dissection, for NOTES training; liver and biliary vesicle surgeries, laparoscopic cholecystectomy; critical interventions of trauma. In conclusion, sharing and reuse of the ex vivo swine embalmed models optimized the effective utilization and improved the quality of medical education and research using alternative models.
 





Link to journal: ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation