Laboratory Animal Facility provide structured training in aseptic techniques, anesthetic management, and surgical skills required for survival surgeries, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and animal welfare regulations. Training encompasses both major and minor procedures and focuses on developing technical competency to minimize animal pain and distress while maintaining scientific integrity.
Training typically covers the following areas:
Key Procedural Training Areas
Aseptic Substance Administration Techniques
Training in proper administration techniques for substances via multiple routes, including:
- Intravenous
- Intraperitoneal
- Subcutaneous
- Intraosseous
- Intravitreal
- Oral gavage
Anesthesia and Physiological Monitoring
Instruction on anesthetic induction and maintenance, assessment of anesthetic depth, administration of analgesia, and continuous monitoring of vital parameters such as respiratory rate, heart rate, and body temperature throughout the procedure. Training includes:
- Gas anesthesia delivered via vaporizers (rodents and rabbits)
- Injectable anesthesia (rodents and rabbits)
Surgical Approaches and Techniques
Standardized training for both:
- Major survival surgeries, such as thoracotomy, laparotomy, organ removal, craniotomy, and sciatic nerve injury models (crush, partial or complete transection, ligation)
- Minor surgical procedures, including vessel catheterization and tissue biopsy
Emphasis is placed on appropriate tissue handling, hemostasis, and suturing techniques in accordance with Halsted’s principles.
Post‑operative Care
Guidance on post‑surgical recovery monitoring, pain assessment and management, wound evaluation, and implementation of supportive care measures to promote optimal healing and animal welfare.
Training programmes are designed to ensure that all survival surgeries are conducted by appropriately trained and competent personnel, thereby safeguarding animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and the validity of scientific outcomes. Please reach out to the LAF Veterinary Team (lafvet@ust.hk) for training enquiries.