A removable silicone elastomer seal reduces granulation tissue growth and maintains the sterility of recording chambers for primate neurophysiology

J Neurosci Methods. 2008 Mar 30;169(1):23-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.11.026. Epub 2007 Dec 5.

Abstract

The maintenance of the sterility of craniotomies for serial acute neurophysiological recordings is exacting and time consuming yet is vital to the health of valuable experimental animals. We have developed a method to seal the craniotomy with surgical grade silicone elastomer (Silastic) in a hermetically sealed chamber. Under these conditions the tissues in the craniotomy and the inside surface of the chamber remain unpopulated by bacteria. The silicone elastomer sealant retarded the growth of granulation tissue on the dura and reduced the procedures required to maintain ideal conditions for neurophysiological recordings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cicatrix / prevention & control
  • Craniotomy / instrumentation*
  • Craniotomy / methods
  • Diffusion Chambers, Culture / instrumentation
  • Diffusion Chambers, Culture / methods
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / therapeutic use*
  • Electrophysiology / instrumentation
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
  • Granulation Tissue / drug effects*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / prevention & control
  • Neurophysiology / instrumentation*
  • Neurophysiology / methods
  • Primates / anatomy & histology
  • Primates / physiology
  • Primates / surgery*
  • Silicones / therapeutic use*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Silicones
  • baysilon