This video describes the surgical procedure to remove the two parts: palpebral and orbital of the superior lacrimal gland from a rabbit to create a dry eye disease model. This rabbit model is suitable for studies of ocular surface homeostasis, pathophysiology and ocular therapeutics.
Protocol
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. Use New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits weighing 2−3 kg Lightly sedate animals placed in a restraining bag with subcutaneous acepromazine as above (1 mg/kg). Remove all fur on the face and dorsal surface of the skull to visualize the surgical landmarks. Trim fur with cutting shears leaving residual fine fur about 1 mm in length. Remove all residual …
Representative Results
Figure 1: Removal of the OSLG. (A) Surgical sites are infiltrated with anesthetic using a 50:50 combination of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 0.5% bupivacaine, which is injected into the upper lid and along the incision lines to minimize discomfort during the procedure. (B) A Colorado microdissection needle is used to incise the skin and superfi…
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Materials
acepromazine, Aceproinj
Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH
NDC11695-0079-8
0.1ml/kg subcutaneously injection for rabbit sedation
animal restraining bag
Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH
Jorvet J0170
Use appropriately sized bag.
bupivacaine, 0.5%
Hospira Inc, Lake Forest IL
NDC: 0409-1162-02
Mixed 50:50 with 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine for infiltration of incision sites.
Colorado needle
Stryker Craniomaxillofacial, Kalamazoo, MI
N103A
Use with electrosurgical unit to make incisions
electrosurgical unit with monopolar cautery plate
Valleylab, Boulder, CO
Force FXc
Use with electrosurgical unit to make incisions
forceps, Bishop Harmon
Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater
NJ E1500-C
Use toothed forceps for dacryoadenectomy
needle, 30-gauge
BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ
REF 305106
For infiltration of incision sites; syringe and needle size are not critical
rabbit, New Zealand White
Charles River Labs, Waltham, MA
(NZW) 2-3 kg
Research animals
scissors, Vannas McKesson
Medical-Surgical, San Francisco, CA
Miltex 2-130
Capsulotomy scissors for dacryoadenectomy
syringe, 5 cc
BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ
REF 309603
For infiltration of incision sites; syringe and needle size are not critical
Superior Lacrimal Gland Removal: A Surgical Technique to Remove the Palpebral and Orbital Parts of Superior Lacrimal Gland from Rabbit Model. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e20846, doi: (2023).