Porcine anaesthesia for advanced trauma operative management (atom).

Anaesthesia has been provided for pigs for the Advanced Trauma Operative Management Course which was first held at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in February 2005. As of January 2006, 16 animals have been anaesthetized. Acepromazine (1mg/kg) and atropine (0.05mg/kg) were used for premedication. IM ketamine (30mg/kg) and isoflurane (in oxygen) were used for the anaesthesia and the animals were intubated and ventilated with positive pressure ventilation. No neuromuscular blocking agents were used. Morphine (average 3 doses of 10mg) was used for analgesia. Systolic blood pressure ranged between 80mmHg and 115mmHg and diastolic pressure ranged between 45mmHg and 80mmHg. Large amounts of IV fluids were given during the procedure. At the end of surgery, the animals were euthanized by increasing the concentration of isoflurane and administering potassium chloride. Out of the 14 cases reported on, 13 animals survived to the end of all the surgical procedures. 1 animal had a cardiac arrest during the last procedure (inflicting a laceration to the heart) and could not be resuscitated.