Presentation Title
Development of Clinically-Relevant Piglet Model for the Study of Impact of Surgery on the Developing Brain
Abstract
Introduction
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently requires safety labels on widely used anesthetics warning that these drugs may negatively impact the development of the brains of children under 3 years old. Though the deleterious effects of anesthesia on the brain in development have been well established, the impact of surgical stress remains unclear. The goal of this study was to develop a reproducible model of major surgical stress in a translational animal model. Our laboratory has previously established a model of neonatal anesthesia in the neonatal piglet. With a veterinary surgeon, we created a model of major surgical stress that can assess the effects both acutely and longer-term.
Methods
Three piglets, aged 2-5 days, were anesthetized with 8% sevoflurane in 100% O2. Animal vitals were monitored at all times. After sterile preparation, a 2cm incision was made on the lateral aspect of the hind leg. Cefazolin (25 mg/kg) was administered to prevent infection. A bone saw was used to cut perpendicularly and separate the femur (femoral osteotomy). The osteotomy was then repaired using a titanium plate and screws. Bupivacaine was administered for pain control. Buprenorphine was also administered prior to awakening for postoperative pain. During the 48-hour recovery period, each piglet was given meloxicam twice a day with buprenorphine if needed. After recovery, radiographs were taken to assess the repair.
Results
All 3 animals were weight bearing within minutes of emerging from anesthesia and did not show signs of discomfort within the recovery period. Imaging assessment revealed stable repair of the osteotomy.
Conclusion
These data demonstrate that our piglet femoral osteotomy model is an appropriately safe and reproducible model of major surgical stress in the neonate. Future studies will focus on determining the effects of surgical stress on the developing brain and subsequent neurocognitive function.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
emmett.whitaker@uvmhealth.edu
Secondary Mentor Name
Emily Sola
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Emily Sola (Collaborating Mentor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Second Program/Major
Psychological Science
Primary Research Category
Health Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Development of Clinically-Relevant Piglet Model for the Study of Impact of Surgery on the Developing Brain
Introduction
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently requires safety labels on widely used anesthetics warning that these drugs may negatively impact the development of the brains of children under 3 years old. Though the deleterious effects of anesthesia on the brain in development have been well established, the impact of surgical stress remains unclear. The goal of this study was to develop a reproducible model of major surgical stress in a translational animal model. Our laboratory has previously established a model of neonatal anesthesia in the neonatal piglet. With a veterinary surgeon, we created a model of major surgical stress that can assess the effects both acutely and longer-term.
Methods
Three piglets, aged 2-5 days, were anesthetized with 8% sevoflurane in 100% O2. Animal vitals were monitored at all times. After sterile preparation, a 2cm incision was made on the lateral aspect of the hind leg. Cefazolin (25 mg/kg) was administered to prevent infection. A bone saw was used to cut perpendicularly and separate the femur (femoral osteotomy). The osteotomy was then repaired using a titanium plate and screws. Bupivacaine was administered for pain control. Buprenorphine was also administered prior to awakening for postoperative pain. During the 48-hour recovery period, each piglet was given meloxicam twice a day with buprenorphine if needed. After recovery, radiographs were taken to assess the repair.
Results
All 3 animals were weight bearing within minutes of emerging from anesthesia and did not show signs of discomfort within the recovery period. Imaging assessment revealed stable repair of the osteotomy.
Conclusion
These data demonstrate that our piglet femoral osteotomy model is an appropriately safe and reproducible model of major surgical stress in the neonate. Future studies will focus on determining the effects of surgical stress on the developing brain and subsequent neurocognitive function.