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Survival Surgery: Major, Minor and Multiple Major (1)
Survival surgery means an animal recovers from anesthesia following
a surgical procedure. Animal Welfare Act(2)
regulations and Public Health Service policy require that survival
surgeries be performed using aseptic techniques. Major operative
procedures on non-rodent species must be done in a dedicated surgical
facility. Non-major (minor) operative procedures, all surgeries
on rodents and surgeries conducted at field sites do not require
a dedicated facility. Investigators performing survival surgery
must identify where the procedure will take place.
Individuals performing these procedures must be appropriately
trained to perform them. Pain and distress should always be minimized.
Veterinary consultation is required during preparations of protocols
covering these procedures. To facilitate consultations the attending
veterinarian has compiled information in a booklet: "Use
of Experimental Animals at Johns Hopkins University." Direct
consultations with a veterinarian can be arranged by calling 410-955-3273
or 410-955-3713.
Major and minor survival surgery
Major survival surgery penetrates and exposes a body cavity or
produces substantial impairment of physical or physiologic functions.
Minor (non-major) survival surgery does not expose a major body
cavity and causes little or no physical impairment.
Multiple major survival surgery
Federal regulations permit only one major survival surgery, except
when scientifically justified in writing and approved by the institutional
animal care and use committee (IACUC), required as a routine veterinary
procedure to protect the health or well being of the animal as
determined by the attending veterinarian or approved by the Administrator
of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA).
Multiple major survival surgical procedures can be justified
if they are related components of a research project and/or, if
they will conserve scarce animal resources(3).
The IACUC should pay particular attention to animal well being
through continuing evaluation of outcomes. Cost savings alone
is not sufficient justification for performing multiple major
survival surgeries.
Animals surviving a major surgical procedure must be identified
to prevent them from undergoing a second major survival procedure.
Complete records of the procedures performed, intra- and post-procedural
monitoring and all other pertinent records must be kept. Records
should be legible, current and readily available for inspection.
See pages 60 to 64 in the Guide(3)
for definitions and restrictions outlined above as well as guidance
on surgery in laboratory animals.
References:
1.Approved by the IACUC on: January 17, 2002
2. 9 CFR Chapter 1 Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2 and 3
3. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC, National
Academy Press, 1996 |
