Surgery is an integral part of many experimental studies in rodents. Optimal care, state-of-the-art protocols and minimal invasive and aseptic surgical technique are prerequisites to achieve surgical success and best possible animal welfare outcomes. We all agree that good surgical practice cannot only improve the animal’s post-operative recovery, but also the outcome of a study and the validity of its results. However, it is challenging to implement all these diverse aspects of good surgical practice during experimental rodent surgery. Additionally, further considerations must be taken into account such as batch surgeries, the use of genetically modified or immunocompromised animals, the need for a specific (micro)surgical set up due to the animals’ small size (e.g. surgical microscope, stereotaxic instrument) and dedicated instruments, as well as an often limited number of surgical assistants.
This symposium aims to cover the diverse aspects of rodent surgery by introducing and discussing current knowledge, available techniques and practical-oriented approaches for good surgical practice – like aseptic working techniques, organisation of workflows, surgical team and infrastructure, which anesthesia and/or analgesia to use, devices, workflows and scoring schemes for peri- and post-operative monitoring and care.
This symposium will be organised and held in cooperation with:
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