traffic (AORN 2006; Bartley 1993). If it is necessary to use an
operating room for other purposes, it is imperative that the
room be returned to an appropriate level of hygiene before its
use for major survival surgery. Generally, agricultural animals
maintained for biomedical research should undergo surgery with
techniques and in facilities compatible with the guidelines set
forth in this section. However, some minor and emergency
procedures commonly performed in clinical veterinary practice
and in commercial agricultural settings may take place under
field conditions. Even when conducted in an agricultural
setting, however, these procedures require the use of
appropriate aseptic technique, sedatives, analgesics,
anesthetics, and conditions commensurate with the risk to the
animal’s health and well-being. Surgical procedures are
categorized as major or minor and, in the laboratory setting,
can be further divided into survival and nonsurvival. As a
general guideline, major survival surgery (e.g., laparotomy,