title: Experimental left pneumonectomy in pigs: procedure and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because there is no detailed description of procedures and perioperative management of major pulmonary resections in swine, we reviewed our experience to delineate the most effective practice in performing left pneumonectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of 11 consecutive left pneumonectomies. Animal data, operative reports, anesthesia records, and perioperative facts were evaluated. Follow-up information until postoperative day 60, methods of care-taking, therapy administration, and all the stabling aspects were systematically assessed. The investigation was aimed at highlighting those procedural steps or details which make the difference in optimizing the available resources (animals, instruments, and personnel). No statistical analysis was performed considering data characteristics and the descriptive nature of information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgery requires a median time of 2 h and 16 min; two operators and one anesthesiologist represent the basic team. Circulators' number depends on goals to accomplish. The most straightforward procedure requires careful dissection of the pulmonary ligament (limited view), pulmonary veins (low variability), pulmonary artery (delicate), and finally bronchus (no variability observed). The key factors for good anesthesia management have been identified: sedation by caregivers, preoxygenation before induction of general anesthesia, high respiratory rates with low tidal volume after pneumonectomy, and noninvasive ventilation after extubation. Antibiotic prophylaxis has been performed. Postoperative care must be continuous until animals are able to stand up, afterward "preventive noncurative," and always animal friendly. Ideas for minimally stressful therapy administration are helpful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the delineation of this methodology, the compliance to a routine practice allowed us to reduce time, stress, and cost; quality and quantity of possible research increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bufalari
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Monte
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pecoriello
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceccarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cagini
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ragusa
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy. Electronic address: jacopovannucci@tiscali.it.
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vannucci
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine
keywords: Anesthesiology; Animal model; Experimental; Lung; Pneumonectomy; Surgery