All surgical procedures are performed using halothane anesthetic and aseptic technique. All others entering the surgery room also wear hats, masks and shoe covers, in addition to non-sterile gowns or surgical scrubs. All materials used in surgery are steam or gas sterilized. Incisions are closed in layers. All external incision sites are sutured with non-wicking surgical material such as Braunamid or Vicryl, or with sterile wound clips.
Silk is used for internal sutures, such as fetal skin sutures, and for ligatures.
Muscular layers are closed with chromic gut. Sterile surgical clips are also used for ligatures where appropriate. Food is withheld for 20-24 hours and water is withheld for 12h, if necessary. Animals are induced with halothane in O2 administered by mask. Fetuses are treated with ampicillin during surgery by injection of 750mg ampicillin into the amniotic fluid.