Median sternotomy approach for chronic bovine experiments

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Animal Models
• Medical Device Research

Background:

• Lateral thoracotomy is the conventional surgical approach for preclinical ventricular assist device (VAD) testing in animals.
• Median sternotomy is functionally preferred for cardiac surgery, especially VAD implantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the outcomes of using median sternotomy in chronic bovine studies for VAD implantation.
• To compare surgical access, recovery, and healing between median sternotomy and lateral thoracotomy approaches.

Main Methods:

• Three chronic bovine studies utilized the median sternotomy approach.
• Surgical access was compared to three prior studies using lateral thoracotomy.
• Evaluated postoperative recovery, pain management, sternotomy incision healing, and monitoring line exit site conditions.

Main Results:

• Median sternotomy provided enhanced surgical access to cardiac chambers and great vessels, with increased space for device placement.
• Postoperative recovery time was similar to the lateral thoracotomy approach.
• No increased difficulties in ambulation or recumbency, nor greater pain management needs, were observed.

Conclusions:

• Median sternotomy is a viable and successful surgical approach for chronic bovine studies involving VAD implantation.
• This technique facilitates better surgical access and comparable recovery to traditional methods.
• The study supports the adoption of median sternotomy for future biventricular assist device implantation surgeries in bovine models.