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Development of a reliable mouse model for caudal epidural anesthesia
Yuki Kinishi1,2, Yoshihisa Koyama3,4, Tomoo Yuba1
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Suita, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a reproducible mouse model for caudal epidural anesthesia, crucial for studying anesthesia side effects like fever. The optimal 100 µL ropivacaine dose provided stable analgesia with minimal complications.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
Background:
- Epidural anesthesia is widely used for pain management in surgery and childbirth.
- Fever is a common complication of epidural anesthesia, necessitating further research.
- A reliable animal model is essential for investigating epidural anesthesia's mechanisms and side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reproducible caudal epidural anesthesia technique in mice.
- To establish a suitable animal model for studying epidural anesthesia-induced fever and other neurophysiological effects.
- To optimize anesthetic dosage and volume for effective analgesia with minimal adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Male ddY mice underwent caudal epidural anesthesia using 0.25% ropivacaine at varying volumes (50, 100, 150 µL).
- Successful epidural puncture was verified using blue dye.
- Anesthetic efficacy and effects were assessed using the formalin test.
- A stereotaxic apparatus was employed to optimize needle placement and puncture posture.
Main Results:
- Successful epidural anesthesia rates varied from 45.5% to 63.6%, with the highest success observed in the 100 µL group.
- The 100 µL dose of ropivacaine demonstrated stable analgesia.
- Higher volumes (150 µL) resulted in broader anesthetic effects but increased mortality.
- The optimized technique using a stereotaxic apparatus improved reproducibility.
Conclusions:
- A refined caudal epidural anesthesia technique in mice was successfully established.
- The administration of 100 µL of 0.25% ropivacaine provides effective analgesia with minimal side effects.
- This mouse model serves as a valuable tool for investigating the neurophysiological mechanisms of epidural anesthesia and its complications.
