Jp. Richer et al., Sacrococcygeal and transsacral epidural anesthesia in the laboratory pig: a model for experimental surgery, SUR RAD AN, 20(6), 1998, pp. 431-435
The laboratory piglet is currently the preferred animal for experimental di
gestive surgery. In order to ensure optimal perioperative analgesic control
with motor blockade during surgery together with rapid postoperative recov
ery, epidural anesthesia techniques were developed in this animal. We repor
t the anatomo-radiologic studies (10 animals) and clinical experiments (51
transplantations of the liver and the small intestine) which led to the ref
inement of this anesthesia. In laboratory piglets, epidural anesthesia by d
istal transsacral (S4-S5) or sacrococcygeal approach is possible in a repro
ducible manner. The localization of the injection site is simple and epidur
al space catheterisation is easy without risk for the dural sac which ends
at S1-S2.