A surgical technique for a terminal intracranial hypertension model in pigs

Abstract

The life-threatening effects of intracranial hypertension on brain perfusion and cerebral metabolism are the subject of current research in different animal models. The purpose of this study was to describe an efficient, reliable and inexpensive surgical method for temporary elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) in acutely instrumented pigs in a research setting. Therefore, a balloon catheter was inserted into the left lateral ventricle and an ICP sensor was placed in the parenchyma of the right cerebral hemisphere. Ten acutely instrumented pigs were studied while under deep terminal general anaesthesia. The step-by-step inflation of the intraventricular balloon allows one to achieve the desired ICP up to 46 mmHg and maintain it at this level. ICP values ranged from a median of 2 (1–2) mmHg to 43 (29–45) mmHg. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed description of a minimally invasive surgical technique for temporary ICP elevation in pigs via stepwise inflation of an intraventricular balloon.