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Anesthesia in swine

Optimizing a laboratory model to optimize translational research

Anästhesie bei Schweinen

Optimierung eines Labormodells zur Optimierung der translationalen Forschung

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Abstract

In order to extrapolate novel therapies from the bench to the bedside (translational research), animal experiments are scientifically necessary. Swine are popular laboratory animals as their cardiorespiratory physiology is very similar to humans. Every study has to be approved by the local and/or national animal ethical committees. As swine are extremely sensitive to stress the primary goal is therefore to provide a calm, stress-free environment in both housing and experimental facilities. Swine should be properly sedated for transport and normothermia needs to be ensured. It is recommended to commence anesthesia by injecting ketamine and propofol followed by endotracheal intubation during spontaneous breathing. After intubation, anesthesia maintenance is performed with morphine or piritramide, propofol and rocuronium and routine monitoring is applied analogue to a clinical operating theater for humans. Normothermia (38.5 °C) needs to be ensured. While surgical procedures can be readily extrapolated from a human operating theater to swine, non-anesthesiologist scientists may lose the animal rapidly due to airway management problems. Vascular access can be secured by cut-downs or ultrasound-guided techniques in the inguinal and the neck region. For humane euthanasia of pigs, morphine, followed by propofol, rocuronium and potassium chloride are recommended. As radical animal right groups may threaten scientists, it is prudent that animal laboratories have unmarked entrance doors, are located in buildings that are not accessible to the public and strictly controlled access of laboratory staff is enforced. In conclusion, swine are an excellent laboratory animal for bench to bedside research and can be managed properly when basic knowledge and adequate skills on careful handling, anesthesia and surgical considerations are present.

Zusammenfassung

Tierversuche sind wissenschaftlich notwendig, um das klinische Potenzial neuer Therapiemöglichkeiten zu bewerten und Studien vorzubereiten (translationale Forschung). Schweine sind gut als Versuchtstiere geeignet, da ihre kardiorespiratorische Physiologie der des Menschen sehr ähnlich ist. Jeder Tierversuch muss von einer Ethikkommission bzw. den zuständigen Behörden genehmigt werden. Schweine sind sehr anfällig für Stress, das primäre Ziel ist daher eine ruhige, stressfreie Umgebung im Stall und Forschungslabor. Schweine sollten bereits vor dem Transport ins Forschungslabor sediert werden, und die Normothermie während des Transport ist sicherzustellen. Zur Narkoseeinleitung wird die Kombination aus Ketamin bzw. Propofol gefolgt von einer endotrachealen Intubation bei Spontanatmung empfohlen. Nach der Intubation wird die Anästhesie mit Morphium bzw. Piritramid, Propofol und Rocuronium geführt. Ein intraoperatives Routinemonitoring erfolgt wie beim Menschen. Normothermie (38,5 °C) muss während der gesamten Untersuchung gewährleistet werden. Während chirurgische Techniken relativ einfach von Operationen am Menschen auf das Schwein übertragbar sind, können nicht anästhesiologisch ausgebildete Wissenschaftler aufgrund ungewohnter anatomischer Verhältnisse rasch Probleme beim Atem-Management bekommen und ein Versuchstier bereits vor der Untersuchung verlieren. Intravasale Zugänge lassen sich durch chirurgische Präparation oder ultraschallgestützte Techniken in der Leiste und am Hals schaffen. Für eine humane Euthanasie des Versuchstiers wird eine Morphininjektion empfohlen, gefolgt von Propofol, Rocuronium und Kaliumchlorid. Radikale Tierversuchsgegner können eine Bedrohung für Wissenschaftler sein; es ist daher ratsam, Forschungslabors nicht als solche zu kennzeichnen, sie in Gebäuden einzurichten, die nicht öffentlich zugänglich sind, und den Zugang der Mitarbeiter streng zu kontrollieren. Wenn Fachkenntnisse und entsprechende Kompetenzen bei der Haltung, Anästhesie und chirurgischem Vorgehen angewandt werden, eignen sich Schweine hervorragend für Bench-to-Bedside-Untersuchungen.

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Notes

  1. Der Standard 14.01.2010; Die Zeit 22.01.2010; Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 14.01.2010; Die Welt 14.01.2010.

  2. Telegraph 30.08.2010.

  3. Daily Mail 28.05.2010.

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Compliance with ethical guidelines

Conflict of interest. D. Pehböck, H. Dietrich, G. Klima, P. Paal, Karl H. Lindner and Volker Wenzel state that there are no conflicts of interest. All national guidelines on the care and use of laboratory animals have been followed and the necessary approval was obtained from the relevant authorities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    D. Pehböck, P. Paal, K.H. Lindner &  V. Wenzel M.D., M.Sc.

  2. Central Laboratory Animal Facilities, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    H. Dietrich

  3. Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    G. Klima

Authors
  1. D. Pehböck
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  2. H. Dietrich
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  3. G. Klima
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  4. P. Paal
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  5. K.H. Lindner
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  6. V. Wenzel M.D., M.Sc.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Wenzel M.D., M.Sc..

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Pehböck, D., Dietrich, H., Klima, G. et al. Anesthesia in swine. Anaesthesist 64, 65–70 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00101-014-2371-2

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