Protective cranial implant caps for macaques.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Primate Research
• Veterinary Surgery

Background:

• Cranial implants are essential in macaque monkey neuroscience studies for head stabilization and brain access.
• Post-surgical wound management is challenging due to the inability to cover sutured skin margins.
• Non-human primates may interfere with wound healing by picking at surgical sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an easily modifiable head cap for protecting cranial implant sites in macaque monkeys.
• To improve wound healing and reduce complications after cranial implant surgery.
• To enhance the welfare of non-human primates undergoing neuroscience research.

Main Methods:

• A protective head cap was designed using Klarity-R™ Sheet (3.2 mm thick, 36% or 42% perforation).
• The cap was molded to fit around the cranial implant post-surgically while the animal was anesthetized.
• The design prevents the monkey's access to wound margins while allowing air circulation.

Main Results:

• The head cap significantly promoted wound healing in macaque monkeys across two UK primate facilities.
• Monkeys wearing the head cap did not require re-suturing, unlike approximately 30% of control subjects.
• Head cap use led to reduced durations of antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• The developed head cap is an easily adaptable, bespoke solution for supporting postoperative wound healing.
• This protective device enhances the welfare of macaque monkeys engaged in neuroscience research.
• The head cap effectively prevents self-inflicted trauma to surgical sites, facilitating recovery.