A technique for bioinstrumentation of the thorax of miniature swine

A surgical technique for sternal thoracotomy was developed for use in miniature swine. An incision was made from the midpoint of the neck to the tip of the xiphoid cartilage. The thorax was entered by dividing the sternum along its long axis with an electric oscillating saw. The thoracotomy was closed with 3-mm wide polyester fiber umbilical tapes placed around each sternebrae to appose the cut surfaces. The technique provided good access to the cranial vena cava, both atria and appendages, both ventricles, great cardiac veins, coronary sinus, ascending aorta and arch, and the pulmonary artery. Miniature swine tolerated this procedure well. It appeared to be less painful than lateral approaches and produced fewer pleural adhesions because only the mediastinum was entered.