Jejunal Catheter (IJC)

Available in: Rats and Mice Anesthetics Analgesic
Pre-Operative Procedures Intra-Operative Care Post-Operative Care

Surgical Preparation

The animal is anesthetized and clipped over the abdominal region and at the nape. Sterile eye lubricant is placed in both eyes, and the clipped skin area over the abdominal wall is surgically prepared. The animal is placed in dorsal recumbency on a surgery board fitted with a sterile board drape. Analgesic is administered.

Surgical Description

The surgical site is draped with a sterile drape. To expose the jejunum, midline longitudinal incisions are made to the skin and abdominal wall at the level of the duodenum. Padded retractors are used to increase surgical visibility. A dissecting scope may be required for the remainder of this procedure. A purse sting suture technique is applied to the jejunum. An incision is made to the jejunal wall within the purse string, and the catheter is inserted caudally, away from the duodenum. Once the catheter is in place, the purse string is used to anchor it. A small amount of saline is pushed through the catheter. The abdominal cavity is flushed with sterile saline.

Surgical Closing

The ventral abdominal incision is closed with approved closing materials and the catheter is tacked to the abdominal wall. The animal is turned to permit access to the dorsal area where the catheter will be tunneled through to an exit site on the nape. The clipped area of the nape is surgically prepared, and a small (approximately 2-7 mm), midline incision is made to the skin between the shoulder blades. The catheter is tunneled under the skin and accessed through the incision at the nape. A small amount of saline is pushed through the catheter before it is filled with a locking solution (optional) and the catheter is plugged. The ventral and dorsal incisions are closed with approved closing materials (suture or stainless steel clips), and the catheter plug is anchored to the closing material. Excess catheter is tucked under the skin, and the surgery sites are treated with an approved disinfectant followed by an alcohol swabbing.

Sham

A standard sham IJC model is prepared as described above with regards to surgical site preparation, exposure of the jejunum, tunneling, wound closing, and surgical site disinfection; however, no dissection occurs and no ties or catheters are inserted.