Exposing Brachial Plexus: A Surgical Technique to Visualize Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglet

Abstract

This video describes an in vivo surgical procedure to expose the brachial plexus, a neural network that supplies cutaneous and muscular interventions to the upper limb. This surgery helps locate the plexus and eventually assess the extent of nerve injury involving the upper limb.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Animal Arrival and Acclimation

1. Quarantine 1–2 day-old piglets for at least 24 h after arrival.
2. House piglets in clean and sanitized stainless-steel cages (36 in x 48 in x 36 in) on aspen chip bedding and feed ad libitum with pig milk replacer.
3. Maintain the room temperature at 85 °F to ensure a thermo-neutral environment.

2. Day of Experiment

1. Remove the feed 2 h prior to the experiment.
2. Inject pigl....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Surgical instruments
Forceps	Fine Science Tools Inc	11006-12 and 11027-12 or 11506-12
Hemostats	Fine Science Tools Inc	13009-12
Scissors	Fine Science Tools Inc	14094-11 or 14060-09