A laryngoscope for use in rabbits.

Abstract

Owing to the difficulties experienced with the procedure of endotracheal intubation in rabbits (Murdock, 1969), inhalation anaesthetic agents are commonly administered to this species by mask (Betteridge, 1973) or via a tracheostomy. The latter method, whilst proving satisfactory for acute experimental procedures, may cause complications such as infection and obstruction if the animal is allowed to recover from the anaesthetic. A series of experiments was carried out which involved the placement of a radioactive marker in the trachea of rabbits and thus necessitated visual inspection of the larynx. Schaffer (1965), and Davis & Malinin (1974) have reported the use of laryngoscopes designed for infants and neonates to intubate rabbits, and so initially these instruments were tried. However, difficulty was experienced due to the considerable anatomical differences between human and rabbit lips, buccal cavity and oropharynx. Consequently a laryngoscope was designed specifically to provide a clear view of the rima glottidis. For these experiments, neurolept anaesthesia using fentanyl and fluanisone (Hypnorm: Crown Chemical Co. Ltd, Lamberhurst, Kent, UK) has been used, but it became apparent using this laryngoscope that intubating the trachea would be simple. A description of the instrument is therefore given in this communication since it could be of value to other workers in facilitating laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.