Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury

Summary

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant contributor to back pain and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration exist. We demonstrate an ovine model of intervertebral disc degeneration, utilizing a drill bit, which achieves a consistent disc injury and reproducible level of disc degeneration.

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant contributor to the development of back pain and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration have been developed. The ideal animal model should closely mimic the human intervertebral disc with regard to morphology, biomechanical properties and the absence of notochordal cells. The sheep lumbar intervertebral disc model fulfils these criteria. We present an ovine model of intervertebral disc degeneration utilizing a drill bit injury through a lateral retroperitoneal approach. The lateral approach significantly reduces the incision and potential morbidity associated with the traditional anterior approach to the ovine spine. Utilization of a drill-bit method of injury affords the ability to produce a consistent and reproducible injury, of precise dimensions, that initiates a consistent degree of intervertebral disc degeneration. The focal nature of the annular and nucleus pulposus defect more closely mimics the clinical condition of focal intervertebral disc herniation. Sheep recover rapidly following this procedure and are typically mobile and eating within the hour. Intervertebral disc degeneration ensues and sheep undergo necropsy and subsequent analysis at periods from eight weeks. We believe that the drill bit injury model of intervertebral disc degeneration offers advantages over more conventional annular injury models.

Introduction

Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide¹. Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration associated discogenic pain is considered a significant contributor to lower back pain². There is an increasing demand for reliable animal models of intervertebral disc disease for broadening the understanding of the degenerative process and for the investigation of potential therapies.

Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration exist³. Animals models used in the investigation of degenerative disc disease range in size from mice⁴,....

Protocol

The protocol detailed in this manuscript follows the animal care guidelines of Monash University Animal Ethics. Animal ethics approval for this protocol has been granted by Monash University Animal Ethics. Ethics approval number: MMCA/2014/55

1. Sheep Preparation

NOTE: Ewes aged two to four years were used.

1. Fast sheep for 18 h prior to anesthesia. Provide animals with access to water until 6-12 h prior to operation¹⁹.
2. Sedate animals by intravenous injection of medetomidine hydrochloride (0.015-0.020 mg/kg) to facilitate transfer to operating suite.
   NOTE: The me....

Results

Pre-operatively, sheep underwent baseline 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of underlying intervertebral disc morphology and degeneration. Sheep underwent additional intra-operative lateral radiography for confirmation of intervertebral disc level and calculation of disc height index. A pre-operative sagittal plane slice from 3T MRI and an intra-operative radiograph are demonstrated in Figure 1.

Discussion

This minimally invasive lateral access approach is efficacious and safe with no post-operative herniae, abdominal wound dehiscence or infection observed in this series. Use of the drill bit intervertebral disc injury model with a depth stop provides a reproducible method of inducing a consistent intervertebral disc injury of known dimension (i.e. a 3.5 mm diameter x 12 mm depth injury in this study). In our experience, this method produces a less severe degree of disc degeneration than that observed in conventio.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Medetomidine Hydrochloride (10 mL Injection)	Therapon/Zoetis	PFIDOM10	Multiple suppliers: Zoetis/Ilium
Thiopentone	Troy	Triothiopentone	Multiple suppliers: Neon Laboratories, Jagsonphal Pharmaceuticals
Isoflurane (2 - 3 % in oxygen)	Baxter	AHN3636	Multiple suppliers: Baxter/VetOne
Amoxicillin parenteral	GlaxoSmithKline	JO1CA04	Multiple suppliers: GlaxoSmithKline/Merck
Bupivacaine (0.5% Injection 20 mL)	Pfizer	005BUP001	Multiple suppliers: Pfizer/AstraZeneca
PVD Iodine Solution	Jurox	61330	Multiple suppliers: Jurox/Orion
Chlorhexidine 5%w/v	Jurox	Chlorhex C 5L (SCRUB)	Multiple suppliers: Jurox/Pfizer
Transdermal Fental Patch (75 μg/h)	Janssen-Cilag	S8-Dur7.5	Multiple suppliers: Sandoz
Buprenorphine iv	Jurox	504410	Multiple suppliers: LGM Pharma
Atipamezole (Antisedan 0.06 mg/kg - 0.08 mg/kg)	Zoetis	PFIANT10	Multiple suppliers: Ilium
Oster Golden A5 2-Speed Clippers	Oster	078005-140-003	Oster
20 mL luer lock syringe	Terumo	6SS+20L	Multiple suppliers: Medshop Australia/Terumo
21 G IV needle	Terumo	SG3-1225	Multiple suppliers:Medshop Australia/Terumo
#4 scalpel handle	Austvet	AD010/04	Multiple suppliers: Austvet/SurgicalInstruments
#22 scalpel baldes	Austvet
Gillies tissue forceps	Austvet	AB430/15	Multiple suppliers: Austvet/SurgicalInstruments
Metzenbaum curved dissecting scissors	Austvet	AC101/14	Multiple suppliers: Austvet/SurgicalInstruments
Deaver retractor	Surgical Instruments	23.75.03	Multiple suppliers: Surgical Instrument/Austvet
Hohmann retractor	Austvet	KA173/35	Multiple suppliers: Austvet/SurgicalInstruments
Mayo suture scissors	Austvet	AC911/14	Multiple suppliers: Austvet/SurgicalInstruments
Needleholder 14 cm	EliteMedical	18-1030	Multiple suppliers: EliteMedical/Austvet
CMT 3.5 mm Brad-Point Drill	Carbatec	516-035-51	Multiple suppliers: Southeast Tool/Carbatec
Drill Bit Stop 4 mm	Drill Warehouse	20121600	Multiple suppliers: Amazon
Bosch 10.8 V Cordless Angle Drill	Get Tools Direct	GWB10.8V-LIBB	Multiple suppliers:Bunnings/Get Tools Direct
Autoclavable veterinary drill bag	AustVet	DRA043-AV	AustVet
2-0 absorbable synthetic braided sutures	Ethicon	VCP335H	Ethicon
3-0 absorbable synthetic braided sutures	Ethicon	VCP232H	Ethicon
Siemens 3 Tesla Skyra Widebore MRI	Siemens	N/A	Siemens
9.4 Tesla Agilent (Varian) MRI	Agilent Technologies	N/A	Agilent Technologies
Atomscope HF 200 A Radiogaph	Radlink	330003A	Multiple Suppliers: Radlink/DLC Australia
Veterinary Pulse Oximiter	DLC	192500A	Multiple suppliers: DLC Australi Pty Ltd/AustVet