Tracheal Intubation for Mechanical Ventilation: A Procedure to Insert Endotracheal Tube in Trachea of Rabbit Model

Abstract

Source: Marger, L. et al, Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials. J. Vis. Exp. (2019)

In this video, we demonstrate the tracheal intubation — an invasive procedure for insertion of an endotracheal tube through the mouth in a rabbit model. This procedure allows for mechanical ventilation of the lungs.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Anesthesia and intubation

1. Sedate the animals (three-month-old New Zealand white rabbits (male or female), weighing ~2.5 kg each) by intramuscular (IM) injection of ketamine (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/mL, 0.5 mL/kg) + xylazin (3 mg/kg, 20 mg/mL, 0.15 mL/kg). Wait ~20 min for the animals to sleep
   deeply (complete muscular atony).
   NOTE: This premedication will allow a simple, fast and painless intubation process. Deep analgesia and anesthesia is induced as described....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Surgical tray
Endotracheal tube Shiley diameter 2,5mm	Covidien	86233	For intubation
Endotracheal tube Shiley diameter 4,9mm	Covidien	107-35G	For intubation
Intubation catheter	Cook medical		Guide for intubation
Ketalar 50mg/ml	Pfizer		Ketamine for anesthesia
Rompun 2%	Bayer		Xylazin for anesthesia
Sevoflurane 5%	Abbvie		For anesthesia
Xylocaine 10% spray	Astra Zeneca		For intubation