Video laryngoscope-guided urethral catheterization in female minipigs

Abstract

Objective The objective of this work was to anatomically locate the urethral orifice in female minipigs and describe the use of video laryngoscopes in urethral catheterization. Methods Urethral catheterization guided by a video laryngoscope was attempted in 16 adult female Bama minipigs. The anatomical location of urethral orifices, operating time and complications (mucosal edema and bleeding in the vaginal vestibule, and the numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) in mid-stream urine samples) were recorded. Results The anatomical location of the urethral orifice: the depth of the urethral orifice in female Bama minipigs was 4.2 ± 1.2 cm; all the urethral orifices were covered by mucosal folds of the vaginal vestibule. In the supine position, the orifice of the urethra at 9–12 and 1–3 o’clock accounted for 6.25%, 6.25%, 18.75%, 50%, 12.5%, 6.25% and 6.25%, respectively. All animals were successfully catheterized and the operating time was 9.0 (6.0–12.8) min. Complications: no bleeding in the vaginal vestibule was observed; the incidence of mucosal edema was 12.5%, all of which were mild; of urine samples collected 1 h after catheterization, 12.5% were found to contain RBCs and no RBCs were detected 6 h after catheterization; no WBCs were detected 1 h or 6 h after catheterization. Conclusions The urethral orifice of female minipigs was located deep in the vagina at variable clock directions and was unexceptionally covered by mucosal folds. Applying a video laryngoscope in urethral catheterization allowed quick and accurate exposure of the urethral orifice and minimal operational injury in female minipigs.

Urinary bladder catheterisation of female pigs: Influence of bladder content and Escherichia coli urinary tract infection on procedural outcome

“…The use of a catheter designed for intermittent catheterisation constitutes an essential difference in our approach compared to most other reports on porcine bladder catheterisation techniques, which typically use conventional Foley-type catheters. 12,[14][15][16] The balloon of the Foley-type catheter facilitates prolonged dwell time, but this is not always needed, for example if only a urine sample is needed or for intraoperative monitoring of urine output. In these cases, an intermittent catheter may be used, which has a number of advantages compared to standard Foley-type catheters.…”

“…However, cystoscopy is very laborious, and a simple speculum or handheld video laryngoscope is likely more efficient in such cases. 14,16 The reliability of using a video laryngoscope was demonstrated by Li et al., who reported a 100% success rate, with an average time of nine minutes in Bama minipigs. Žel et al.…”

“…A handful of previous studies have reported various approaches of performing catheterisation in pigs of different sizes and breeds. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Common to these studies is the application of a speculum or videoscope to localise the external urethral opening in the floor of the urogenital sinus, which is not otherwise visible, and the use of pean forceps or a similar tool to advance the catheter into the urethra. [12][13][14] Although this instrumentation is designed to facilitate successful catheterisation, inevitably, it makes the procedure laborious, increases time and may also increase the risk of mucosal trauma which has been reported.…”