Best practices for IACUCs in the evaluation of multiple major operative procedures

Evaluation of multiple major operative procedures can be a daunting task for IACUCs. Committee members need to know what a major operative procedure is, when multiple major operative procedures are permitted under the Animal Welfare Act, when permission from the Administrator of the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is required for multiple major operative procedures, and what information must be included when requesting such permission. The author discusses the intent and requirements for multiple major operative procedures under the Animal Welfare Act and describes best practices that IACUCs may use in evaluating multiple major operative procedures both within and across protocols.