Evaluation of the Anesthesia Protocol for Controlled Myoplastic Transposition in Oryctolagus Cuniculus

Abstract

Abstract The loss of a limb through amputation is a traumatic event, leading to major changes in life of a patient. Some of the most cost-effective prosthesis are the myoelectric ones. These rely on sEMG sensors (electromyography) to pick-up electrical signals generated by remaining muscles in the amputation stump from the surface of the skin and relay them under the form of electrical impulses to the command center of the myoelectric prosthesis. We postulate that a higher number of quality signals would result in a higher number of functions for a myoprosthesis to be equipped with. In order to study whether this concept has practical applicability we conducted an experimental study involving the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and performed controlled myoplastic transpositions through a fascial breach at the level of the forearm of each subject and tested the intensity of the electrical signal generated by the transpositioned muscle before and after surgery. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the anesthesia protocol used for this study.