A modified procedure for lumbar intrathecal catheterization in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Intrathecal catheterization and drug delivery in rats has always been a very important method for neuroscience and pain research. Although the technique has been continually improved since the first report, the experience gained over the years suggested that some defects remained unsolved. On the basis of modification of the standard epidural needle, lumbar needle, and intrathecal tube, we aimed to develop a simple and practical technique for intrathecal catheterization, which was similar to the 'needle-through-needle technique' used in combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia.


METHODS
For comparison, rats received intrathecal catheterization via either laminectomy at L3-4 (control group) or our modified method (modification group). The operation time, success rate, and the incidence of postoperative complication were recorded. Thermal paw withdrawal latency, mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, Rota-rod, and body weight were measured on pre-operative day 1 and postoperative day 1-3, 5, 7, 14, 21, respectively.


RESULTS
Compared with control group, our modified method was more practical to grasp and could bring about higher success rate, firmer catheters immobility, less weight loss, and minimal mortality. There was no difference between the two groups in spinal cord injury, hematoma, location of lumbar enlargement, and lateral location of the catheters tip. The procedure itself did not interfere with behavioral tests and motor coordination.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the modified method of intrathecal catheterization is well suitable for long-term behavior and pharmacology research on spinal cord.
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Yongheng
Y
Hou
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Lina
L
Wang
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Jianling
J
Gao
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Xin
X
Jin
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Fuhai
F
Ji
a Department of Anesthesiology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Jianping
J
Yang
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine
Combined spinal-epidural; Intrathecal catheterization; Lumbar; Rat; Spinal cord; Subarachnoid catheterization