CHUA Policies Surgery Item 3 Aseptic Surgical Technique Aseptic technique is required by the CHUA for all survival surgeries, unless scientific justification is provided.
Aseptic technique is used to reduce microbial contamination to the lowest possible practical level.
The contribution and importance of each of these techniques will vary with the surgical procedure. The species of animal may also influence the selection of appropriate aseptic techniques used to prevent infection. For example, skin preparation in amphibians and fish is not recommended as such preparation will remove the protective slime coats. However, the use of antibiotics should never be considered as a replacement for aseptic procedures. In general, unless an exception is specifically justified as an essential component of the research protocol and approved by the CHUA, non-rodent survival surgery should be conducted only in facilities intended for that purpose.