LONG-TERM EPIDURAL CATHETERIZATION OF RHESUS MACAQUES - LOSS OF RESISTANCE TECHNIQUE

A method was developed for implantation of epidural catheters in the p regnant rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) for subsequent drug delivery i n the fully conscious animal at parturition. Catheters were placed int o the epidural space of 23 pregnant monkeys and accessed via a subcuta neously implanted vascular access port. The loss-of-resistance techniq ue, a simple nonsurgical (percutaneous) technique, was used to locate the epidural space. Placement was confirmed at surgery by contrast rad iography. There were no perioperative complications, and complications associated with long-term catheterization were limited.