A modification for preparing the chronic lung-lymph fistula in sheep

Abstract

The sheep lung-lymph model has proven to be a valuable research tool. Preparing this model can be time consuming and may cause considerable trauma to the animal. The standard procedure of Staub et al., the only other published technique, requires three thoracotomies performed on three separate occasions. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a less traumatic and time-consuming surgical protocol for preparing the lung-lymph model. This technique enables us to cannulate the efferent lymph duct draining the lung, divide the caudal mediastinal lymph node, and catheterize the left atrium with one thoracotomy. The modified approach, along with some minor changes in aftercare, enables us to have a success rate of over 70% with an average patent flow of 8 days (range 3-21 days) and saves time and surgical trauma to the animal.

Phosgene-Induced Lung Injury in Sheep

“…On the day of surgery the sheep were placed in ruminant metabolism/study cages (Research Equipment Co., Bryan, Tex.). Sheep were surgically prepared with a chronically draining lung lymph fistula as described by Staub et al (1975) with modifications as described by Brown et al (1982). In brief, Inhalation Toxicology Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by UB Mainz on 11/05/14…”

“…A polyethylene catheter (PE 190,Becton Dickinson & Co.,Parsippany,N.J. ) was introduced into the left atrium via the lar e pulmonary described by Brown et al (1982). The lymph and left atrial catheters were exteriorized through the eighth intercostal space.…”

Techniques of Experimentation

“…The references should be consulted for other techniques involving the lower respiratory system, including lobectomies (Nelson and Monnet, 2003;Bernstein and Agee, 1964;Markowitz et al, 1964), bioinstrumentation of the thorax (Harvey and Jones, 1982), the development of chronic lung-lymph fistulas (Brown et al, 1982); transplantation, isolated lung perfusion, and respiratory long-term facilitation (Jungraithmayr et al, 2013;Bribriesco et al, 2013;Tschernig et al, 2013;Cypel and Keshavjee, 2012;Mateika and Sandhu, 2011). The references should be consulted for other techniques involving the lower respiratory system, including lobectomies (Nelson and Monnet, 2003;Bernstein and Agee, 1964;Markowitz et al, 1964), bioinstrumentation of the thorax (Harvey and Jones, 1982), the development of chronic lung-lymph fistulas (Brown et al, 1982); transplantation, isolated lung perfusion, and respiratory long-term facilitation (Jungraithmayr et al, 2013;Bribriesco et al, 2013;Tschernig et al, 2013;Cypel and Keshavjee, 2012;Mateika and Sandhu, 2011).…”