Anaesthetic and surgical technique for bilateral adrenalectomy in stress sensitive pigs

A technique for anaesthesia of Pietrain pigs using thiopentone or ketamine, ventilation with nitrous oxide and oxygen and muscle relaxation with pancuronium, is described. Bilateral adrenalectomy was carried out by a mid line laparotomy and details of the surgical technique are illustrated. Four of the 10 animals died 7--13 hours after surgery with a hyperthermic response.