Anesthesia Definitions

Basic elements of general anesthesia include:

Anesthetic Management Principles - Prevention of perceived pain during surgery is the primary function of anesthesia.

• A general rule of thumb is "aim only for the degree of restraint and anesthesia required" - more may not be better and often is associated with a greater potential for adverse effects.

Aseptic procedures - All of the techniques and practices employed to prevent microbial contamination of the surgical site. These include: removal of hair from the surgical site, use of surgical scrub and sterile draping of the area. Sterile instruments, proper attire, and adherence to current operating room policy are required.

Major Surgery – Any surgical intervention that penetrates and exposes a body cavity Or any procedure that is likely to produce a permanent impairment of physical movement or basic physiological function, And/Or any procedure associated with orthopedics or extensive tissue dissection or transaction.

• Major survival surgery for warm-blooded "higher" vertebrate animals such as rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, or monkeys must be performed in dedicated facilities specifically designed, operated, and maintained for that purpose. Cold-blooded vertebrate or rodent surgeries may be performed aseptically in a clean, non-dedicated room or laboratory. Farm-type procedures may be performed at the agricultural center. Surgical procedures on wild animals, both major and minor may be performed in the field but aseptic principles must be followed. The IACUC approves the appropriate site for specific operative procedures.

 

• Use of one animal in multiple major survival surgeries is allowed only when such procedures are related components of a protocol; they must be scientifically justified in the protocol and approved by the IACUC. Cost savings is not an acceptable justification for multiple major survival surgeries on any animal. Determination that a procedure constitutes major surgery is usually made during the IACUC review process. However, development of "permanent physical or physiologic impairment" may not be recognized until after the procedure is performed. If such impairment develops after a surgery, that animal cannot be used for another recovery procedure.

 

• If the second major procedure is non-survival, this is not considered to be multiple major survival surgery.

Minor Surgery – Any surgical intervention that does not penetrate a body cavity nor expose a body cavity, or causes little or no physical or physiologic impairment (e.g. wound suturing, peripheral vessel cannulation, laparoscopy, percutaneous biopsy).

• A dedicated surgical facility is not required for such procedures, however, the surgical area should be clean and aseptic techniques must be observed. For minor survival surgery procedures, there is no prohibition against multiple procedures. Good professional judgment should be used to limit the number of minor surgical procedures performed on a single animal.

Non-Survival Surgery - Surgery from which the subject does not regain consciousness from anesthesia prior to being euthanized.

Preoperative Management Principles - The well-being of the animal and validity of the study are enhanced by proper management before the operative procedure.

Survival Surgery - Surgery from which the subject regains consciousness from anesthesia for any period of time prior to a complete recovery, use, or euthanasia.