Morbidity and mortality associated with preclinical tracheostomy models

Area of Science:

• Preclinical research
• Animal models
• Respiratory physiology

Background:

• A secure airway is crucial for studying laryngeal and tracheal obstructive disorders in preclinical models.
• Tracheostomy is a common procedure in various animal models, but its associated morbidity and mortality are often underreported.
• Rabbit models are increasingly used for airway disorder research, necessitating an evaluation of tracheostomy safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the management, complications, and mortality associated with tracheostomy in a preclinical rabbit model.
• To provide data on the risks and outcomes of tracheostomy in rabbits used for obstructive disorder research.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two female rabbits underwent tubeless tracheotomy.
• Post-procedure monitoring included hourly evaluations for the first 8 hours, extending up to 7 days.
• A specific protocol for tracheal suctioning and moisture maintenance was implemented, with therapeutic bronchoscopy for airway compromise.

Main Results:

• A significant mortality rate of 41% (9 out of 22 rabbits) was observed within 7 days of tracheotomy.
• Causes of death included airway obstruction and respiratory depression.
• Despite modifications to preventive therapy and humidification, mortality rates remained high across two study groups (40% and 42%).

Conclusions:

• Tracheostomy in preclinical rabbit models is associated with substantial risks and should be temporally limited.
• Researchers must proactively anticipate and plan for tracheostomy-related complications in the design of their studies.