Policy on Survival Surgery And Post-Surgical Monitoring of Animals Used In Research, Teaching And Testing

Reference(s):

• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), NRC, 1996
• Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (Ag Guide), FASS, 1999.
• Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR, chapter I, subchapter A
• U.S. Government Principles for the Care and Use of Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training, 1983

Introduction:

Policies:

1. Survival Surgery Procedures and Facilities
   1. Major Survival Surgery Major survival surgery is defined as any surgical intervention that penetrates and exposes a body cavity or has the potential for producing a substantial physical or physiologic impairment in an animal that is expected to recover. The Institutional Veterinarian (IV) will be the authority as to whether a procedure is to be considered "major" or "non-major" in cases where it is not obvious. Major survival surgical procedures in non-rodent mammals must be conducted in a facility intended for that purpose and maintained and operated to ensure cleanliness. Additionally, major procedures require the use of aseptic technique, which includes: preparation of the patient, such as hair removal and disinfection of the operative site; preparation of the surgeon, such as the provision of 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.

      Major survival surgical procedures in rodent species and non-mammalian vertebrates do not require a dedicated surgery facility; however, such procedures do require the use of aseptic technique, and the area of the laboratory or facility where surgery is conducted should be maintained and operated in a manner that ensures cleanliness and minimizes unnecessary traffic and activities.

   2. Minor Survival Surgery Minor survival surgery does not expose a body cavity and causes little or no physical impairment. Minor procedures may be performed under less stringent conditions than major procedures. Although minor procedures need not be conducted in a dedicated surgery facility, aseptic technique is required.

   3. Multiple Major Survival Surgery Generally, multiple major survival surgical procedures on a single animal are discouraged. However, under special circumstances, the IACUC may grant approval for conduct of such procedures provided they are related components of a single research or instructional project, they are performed with adequate anesthesia, after-care is designed to alleviate post-surgical pain, and adequate post-operative care is provided. Cost alone is not an adequate reason for performing multiple major survival surgical procedures on an animal, but such procedures may be justified in the interest of conserving numbers of rare species.

2. Animal Care During the Peri-Operative Period

   The principal investigator is ultimately responsible for ensuring that care both appropriate to the species and to the procedure being performed is provided. In practice, however, appropriate animal care, which conforms to regulatory expectations, requires careful coordination between the principal investigator, surgeon, animal care staff and veterinary staff. Responsibilities of key individuals must be delineated and understood before surgical procedures are performed. Animal care personnel must be aware of surgical animals under their care and whom to notify in case of an emergency.

   If any animal develops unexpected surgical or post-surgical complications including death, the Division of Animal Resources (DAR) veterinary staff or appropriate clinical veterinary service must be notified immediately. Animals that die unexpectedly during or after surgery or are euthanized because of post-surgical complications must be submitted for necropsy. Postmortem examinations will be performed at the discretion of the DAR veterinary staff or appropriate clinical veterinary staff.

3. Surgery Records

   It is the responsibility of the principal investigator/surgeon to maintain accurate records regarding surgical procedures and perioperative care. For non-rodent mammals, individual records that detail procedures, dates, personnel, and pre- and post-surgical condition of the animal must be kept for each animal. For rodents and non-mammalian vertebrate species, group records that detail the date of the procedure, identification of the animals, procedure, anesthesia and surgeon are required. Regardless of species, close (at least every 15 minutes) postoperative monitoring until recover from anesthesia and a minimum of daily-recorded observations is required until the postoperative period is at an end (for example, when sutures are removed and surgical wounds are adequately healed). A campus form is available for this purpose. For non-rodent species, the original or a copy of the surgical record must become part of the animal's campus health record. All records must be readily available to the personnel involved in post-surgical monitoring, the veterinary staff, the IACUC and federal regulatory officials.

4. Veterinary Monitoring and Oversight

   The degree of involvement of the veterinary staff should be determined by the needs of the individual project. Consideration should be made to the experience of the surgeon and research staff, the surgical procedure being performed, the species involved, and the needs of the convalescent animal. DAR veterinarians conduct initial veterinary evaluation of proposed surgical procedures and perioperative animal care as they participate in the IACUC review of animal care and use protocols. Minimally, on-going veterinary monitoring will consist of regular review of the units' documentation of perioperative care and observation of animals to assure that animals are receiving adequate post-surgical care. This will include review of surgery records, animal health records, and other documents relating to animal surgery. The DAR veterinary staff is available for consultation when planning for post-operative care of animals, and the DAR veterinary staff or appropriate clinical veterinary service are available 24 hours a day for post-surgical emergencies. The IV has the authority to suspend, pending IACUC review, on-going animal use activities not in compliance with this policy.

5. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Monitoring and Oversight

   The IACUC evaluates proposed surgical procedures and perioperative care during the review of animal care and use protocols. Routine on-going monitoring and oversight is exercised through periodic review of the animal care and use program, inspection of animal holding facilities and animal use areas, and reports from the veterinary staff. Ongoing projects, which are found not to be in compliance with this policy, are subject to suspension by the IACUC.

   
   Revision Approved: 3/6/01

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