Novel Techniques for Retroperitoneal Implantation of Telemetry Transmitters for Physiologic Monitoring in Gottingen Minipigs (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Telemetric monitoring of physiologic parameters in animal models is a critical component of chemical and biologic agent studies. The long-term collection of neurobehavioral and other physiologic data can require larger telemetry devices. Furthermore, such devices must be implanted in a location that...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Willens, Scott, Cox, David M, Braue, Ernest H, Myers, Todd M, Wegner, Matthew D
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology
Biomedical Instrumentation and Bioengineering
BIOTELEMETRY
CHEMICAL DEFENSE
Medicine and Medical Research
MINIPIGS
MONITORING
PHYSIOLOGIC PARAMETERS
PHYSIOLOGY
RETROPERITONEAL IMPLANTATION
SURGERY TECHNIQUES
SURGICAL IMPLANTATION
SWINE
TELEMETRIC MONITORING
TRANSMITTERS
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Summary:Telemetric monitoring of physiologic parameters in animal models is a critical component of chemical and biologic agent studies. The long-term collection of neurobehavioral and other physiologic data can require larger telemetry devices. Furthermore, such devices must be implanted in a location that is safe, well-tolerated, and functional. G ttingen minipigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) present an ideal large animal model for chemical agent studies due to their relatively small size, characterized health status, and ease of training and handling. We report an effective approach to implanting a novel device to measure transthoracic impedance to approximate respiratory tidal volume and rate in Suidae. We tested the approach using 24 male G ttingen minipigs. A ventral midline abdominal incision extending from the umbilicus to the prepuce was followed by a paramedian incision of the parietal peritoneum and dorsal blunt dissection to create a retroperitoneal pocket. The device was anchored inside the pocket to the internal abdominal musculature with 3-0 nonabsorbable suture, biopotential leads were routed through the abdominal musculature, and the pocket was closed with 3-0 absorbable suture. Paired biopotential leads were anchored intermuscularly at the level of the seventh rib midway between spine and sternum bilaterally to provide surrogate data for respiratory function. Postoperative recovery and gross pathology findings at necropsy were used to assess safety and refine the surgical procedure. Results demonstrated that this procedure permitted effective monitoring of complex physiologic data, including transthoracic impedance, without negatively affecting the health and behavior of the animals. The original document contains color images. Published in Comparative Medicine, v64 n6 p464-470, Dec 2014.