An Improved Urethral Catheterization in Female Pigs： A Pilot Study

With the popularity of urine flow dynamic monitoring and indwelling catheter technologies in animal experiments,the urethral catheterization has become a common technique in scientific research.The miniature pig is considered as one of the major animal species used in scientific research and is increasingly being used as an alternative to a dog or monkey as the nonrodent species of choice in the preclinical toxicological testing of pharmaceuticals.[1] Since there are three acute angles bending in the urethra of the male miniature pig,and the end of the penis head is cork-screw shaped,it is difficult to implement routine urethral catheterization in male miniature pigs.Currently,researchers usually implement bladder colostomies or dissections in male miniature pigs,while transurethral urethral catheterization can be implemented in female miniature pigs.According to the existing reports,implementing transurethral urethral catheterization in female miniature pigs is seldom seen.[2] We chose 3-month-old female Bama miniature pigs in our experiments and employ the following methods：first,use a ＂V＂-shaped platform with an angle of about 30° to the horizontal plane;second,utilize a pediatric laryngoscope for deep lighting;third,bend the lower limbs and press down to the ventral side.Satisfactory results through transurethral urethral catheterization were achieved in the end.

Aerocyst urethral catheter insertion compared to expansion sponges application in external dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM: To evaluate the clinical effect and complications of two different filling materials (aerocyst urethral catheter and expansion sponges) applying in external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR) and compare their advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: A retrospective study was made in the period from April, 1 2000 to April, 1 2005. Totally 180 patients (240 eyes) underwent the EX-DCR using different filling materials and divided into three groups randomly: negative control groups (group 1), expansion sponges group (group 2) and aerocyst urethral catheter group (group 3). The gender, etiology, clinical findings, surgical technique, filling materials, the condition of ocular surface and complications were analyzed. Filling materials were removed during day 7. Postoperative success was determined by lacrimal patency to irrigation, a positive dye test, hemorrhage and errhysis conditions after extubation and subjective resolution of epiphora and liquor puris. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 5.14? .69 years, the success rate were 73.7% (group 1), 86.5% (group 2), 98.7% (group 3) in three groups. There was significant statistical difference among three groups in the surgical success rate and the operative complications (including hemorrhage, errhysis, periorbital ecchymosis after extubation)(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EXT-DCR with aerocyst urethral cathete intraoperatively have higher success rate, fewer operative complications and a high patient satisfaction,and can be used to simplify and speed up traditional EXT-DCR.