Superior Lacrimal Gland Removal: A Surgical Technique to Remove the Palpebral and Orbital Parts of Superior Lacrimal Gland from Rabbit Model

Abstract

Source: Honkanen, R. A. et al., Establishment of a Severe Dry Eye Model Using Complete Dacryoadenectomy in Rabbits. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

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…

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