Journal Article

A minimally invasive catheterization of the external jugular vein in suckling piglets using ultrasound guidance

Furbeyre, Hauteclaire, Labussiere, Etienne

2020

Overview

There is a growing interest for minimally invasive surgical procedures to improve experimental animal welfare. Minimally invasive catheterization procedures in pigs have been already developed using Seldinger technique but reproducibility is low, especially in young pigs. A novel method for a minimally invasive catheterization of external jugular vein was evaluated in suckling piglets of 21 days of age. Growth performance and haptoglobin concentration in plasma were measured throughout a four-week study in a group of seven catheterized piglets and a group of seven non-catheterized piglets. Catheterization was performed using Seldinger technique under continuous ultrasound monitoring for vein detection and needle insertion. The surgical procedure was quick and showed a great reproducibility. All catheters remained functional during the first week after catheterization. Catheterization in piglets did not significantly affect body weight (BW) and feed intake during four weeks after the surgical intervention compared to non-catheterized piglets (P > 0.10). Haptoglobin concentration in plasma was greater in catheterized piglets compared with non-catheterized piglets, with a significant increase over two weeks after catheter insertion (P < 0.05), suggesting the development of a chronic inflammation in catheterized piglets. This method can be easily performed in piglets with minimal effect on growth and feeding behaviour. Transposition to heavier pigs should be considered.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Animal behavior / Animal welfare / Animals / Biology and Life Sciences / Body weight / Care and treatment / Catheterization / Catheterization, Central Venous - methods / Catheters / Engineering and Technology / Experiments / Feeding Behavior / Feeds / Haptoglobin / Haptoglobins - metabolism / Hogs / Insertion / Intubation / Jugular vein / Jugular Veins - surgery / Life Sciences / Medical instruments / Medical research / Medicine and Health Sciences / Methods / Minimally invasive surgery / Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods / Operative ultrasound / Physiological aspects / Reproducibility / Suckling behavior / Surgery, Computer-Assisted - methods / Swine / Swine - growth & development / Transposition / Ultrasonic imaging / Ultrasonic testing / Ultrasonography / Ultrasound / Veins / Veins & arteries