Anestesia epidural em macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus): aspectos anatômicos e técnicos.

Abstract

Capuchin monkeys have been used as a biological model in experiments applied to the human species in various biomedical and behavioral researches. Among the protocols needed to improve handling and reduce the risks of death for the animal, the anesthesia, local anesthesia in particular, is indispensable for clinical and surgical procedures. The technique of local block for epidural anesthesia is recommended for most surgeries of the hind limbs, perineal and some abdominal surgeries. However, to accomplish this anesthetic procedure is essential to know the topography of the conus of the species to be manipulated. In order to provide support for the achievement of anesthetic procedures, tests myelography and CSF collection, among other procedures involving a lumbosacral access, the objective of this study was to describe the topography of the conus of the capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus), as well as evaluating the anesthetic technique of local anesthesia through the epidural space with lidocaine 1% at a dose of 0,3 mL/Kg. For this, eight animals for anatomical study and 10 for the study of anesthetic technique were used. In the anatomical study, the animals had lumbar and sacral spine dissected, locating and measuring the medullary cone. For anesthesia, injected with 1% lidocaine at a dose of 0.3 mL/Kg through the lumbosacral space to epidural space. Before administration of lidocaine, and during all time points of the experiment, were measured physiological parameters, nociception and cutaneous sensibility. It was observed that the capuchin monkey has five lumbar vertebrae and three sacral. The conus medullaris was between L2 and L5, with 2,47 ±0,57cm in length. It follows that its apex does not exceed the lumbosacral joint, making access to safe epidural space in this way. It was found also that epidural anesthesia was safe and easy to perform technique, and that injection of lidocaine 1% at a dose of 0,3 mL/Kg promoted loss of skin sensation, muscle relaxation of the pelvic limbs, tail and the perineal region for a period of 35 minutes, where the observed parameters did not vary beyond the physiological limits.