Source: Honkanen, R. A., et al. Establishment of a Severe Dry Eye Model Using Complete Dacryoadenectomy in Rabbits. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).
In this video, we describe a surgical procedure to remove the large inferior lacrimal gland from a rabbit model to study the effect on tear production in the animal.
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. Resect the ILG
Figure 1: Removal of the ILG. (A) The skin and superficial muscle are incised until the fascial plane overlying the zygomatic bone or superficial part of the masseter muscle is reached. The head of the ILG usually is clearly evident as a small bulge located under the anterior limbus. (B) The fibrous capsule of the ILG is incised with scissors exposing the ILG. Once the capsule is incised, the deeper portions of the gland can be easily removed. (C) The most external portion of the ILG head that lies on the zygomatic bone has been exposed and reflected anteriorly showing the underlying zygomatic bone. (D) Incision of the orbital septum along the inferior rim exposes the tail of the ILG. (E) A branch of the external carotid artery feeds the tail of the ILG (arrow). (F) Appearance following the closure of skin incisions after complete dacryoadenectomy.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acepromazine, Aceproinj | Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH | NDC11695-0079-8 | 0.1ml/kg subcutaneously injection for rabbit sedation |
Anesthesia vaporizer | VetEquip, Pleasanton, CA | Item # 911103 | |
Animal restraining bag | Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH | Jorvet J0170 | Use appropriately sized bag |
Cautery unit, high-temperature, battery-powered | Medline Industries Inc, Northfield, IL | REF ESCT001 | Keep on hand in case of bleeding |
Clipper, Wahl Mini Arco | Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH | No. 022573 | Cordless shears for fur removal |
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, curved dressing | Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater, NJ | Storz E1406 | delicate serrated dressing forceps |
Forceps, 0.3 | Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater, NJ | ET6319 | For removal of nictating membrane |
Forceps, Bishop Harmon | Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater, NJ | E1500-C | Use toothed forceps for dacryoadenectomy |
Hair remover lotion, Nair | Widely available | Softening Baby oil | Dipilitory cream for sensitive skin |
Isoflurane | Henry Schein Animal Health, Dublin, OH | 29405 | Possible alternative sedation |
Laryngeal mask airway | Docsinnovent Ltd, London, UK | Vgel R3 | |
Lid speculum, wire | Bausch and Lomb (Storz), Bridgewater, NJ | Barraquer SUH01 | For removal of nictating membrane |
Scissors, Vannas | McKesson Medical-Surgical, San Francisco, CA | Miltex 2-130 | Capsulotomy scissors for dacryoadenectomy |
Sedation gas mask | DRE Veterinary, Louisville, KY | #1381 | Possible alternative sedation |
Surgical marking pen | Medical Action Industries, Arden, ND | REF 115 | |
Sutures, 5-0 Mersilene | Ethicon US, LLC | Ethylene terephthalate sutures, used for deep connective tissue closure | |
Rabbit, New Zealand White | Charles River Labs, Waltham, MA (NZW) | 2-3 kg | Research animals |
Sutures, Vicryl 6-0 | Ethicon US, LLC | Polyglactin 910 sutures, used for superficial muscle and skin closure | |
Syringe, 1 cc | BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ | Ref 309659 | For injection of lidocaine/ epinephrine |
Tissue forceps, 0.8mm Graefe | Roboz Surgical Store, Gaithersburg, MD | RS-5150 | Curved Weck forceps |