Name: Surgical Labyrinthectomy of the Rat to Study the Vestibular System (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2018-05-19T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 4 min 3 s
Description: Learn surgical labyrinthectomy in rats to study the vestibular system and compensation processes. This rapid technique preserves the stapes artery while enabling investigation of vestibular function loss.

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5 minutes

This research was supported by a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&#38;D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health &#38; Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI15C2651).

This study was performed in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Seoul National University Hospital (14-0148-C1A1), which is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International.
NOTE: The experiments were performed on Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats of 7 - 8 weeks old (200/250 g). Each animal was acclimatized to the laboratory conditions for 1 week prior to the start of the experiment. The animals were housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room with a constant 12-h:12-h light:dark cycle with free access to food and water.
1. Labyrinthectomy
<ol>
	<li>Cover the autoclaved surgical instruments with a sterile pad. Disinfect the operating area with 70% ethanol. Use a sterile drape and maintain sterile conditions during the surgery.</li>
	<li>Wear a gown, mask (to cover nose and mouth), cap (to cover head), and a pair of sterile gloves. The surgical instruments must only come in contact with sterile surfaces.</li>
	<li>Inject tiletamine-zolazepam anesthetic (40 mg/kg body weight) intramuscularly into the medial thigh or intraperitoneally, and xylazine (10 mg/kg body weight) intramuscularly or intraperitoneally. 
	NOTE: Other modes of general anesthesia, including isoflurane inhalation, can also be used.</li>
	<li>Place the rat on a warming pad (initially set at 42 &#176;C). Apply lubricant eye ointment to both eyes of the rat to prevent eye dryness while under anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Place the rat on its right side. Shave the fur in the surgical area with hair clippers. Disinfect the site with 70% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Inject 1% lidocaine hydrochloride subcutaneously into the left retroauricular area.</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel blade #15, make a ~5.0 cm retroauricular incision. Separate the muscle and fascia to expose the external auditory canal with Iris scissors (Figure 1A). Slightly open the external auditory canal using the blade #15 or the Iris scissors (Figure 1B). Widely expose the tympanic membrane (Figure 2A).</li>
	<li>Under a microscope (7.5X or 12.5X), remove the tympanic membrane and the ossicles with the exception of the stapes, using the forceps. Detach the muscles on the lambdoidal ridge with the blade #15 or the Iris scissors (Figure 2B).</li>
	<li>Using a drill at low speed (&#60;3000 rpm) with a diamond bur (2.1 or 1.4&#160;mm), drill the tympanic bulla bone around the point of exit of the facial nerve (Figure 3A). Identify the stapedial artery. Take care not to damage the stapedial artery during the drilling process.</li>
	<li>Continue drilling the vestibule superior to the stapedial artery and expose the round window and the bony lateral semicircular canal. Open the lateral semicircular canal near its ampulla. Continue drilling in the plane of the lateral semicircular canal and drill the ampulla of the superior semicircular canal.&#160;</li>
	<li>Aspirate the contents of the vestibule using a 18-G or 22-G needle. Inject and aspirate 1 cm3 of 100% ethanol 3x.</li>
	<li>Close the muscles and the skin in two layers with simple interrupted sutures.</li>
	<li>Do not leave an animal unattended until it has regained sufficient consciousness to maintain sternal recumbency. Keep the rat warm until it wakens using a heating pad or a heat lamp. After awakening, move the rat to an individual cage in a room featuring the usual environmental conditions.</li>
	<li>Administer antibiotics (e.g., Cefazoline 20 mg/kg, trimethoprim-sulfonamide 100 &#181;L subcutaneously, or penicillin 300,000 IU) as needed on day 1; an analgesic (not an opioid; e.g., Metacam 2 mg/kg, Carprofen 5 mg/kg subcutaneously) can also be given.</li>
</ol>
2. Sham Surgery
<ol>
	<li>For the sham surgery as a control, perform the same surgical and post-surgical procedures (as per section 1), including the exposure of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane (step 1.7), the removal of the tympanic membrane and the ossicles, and the detachment of the muscles on the lambdoidal ridge (step 1.8), but do not open the semicircular canal or inject ethanol.</li>
</ol>
3. Check the Loss of Vestibular Function
NOTE: The loss of vestibular function can be evaluated using either behavioral or vestibular function tests.13,17,18 Behavioral tests include the evaluation of postural asymmetry and nystagmus.
<ol>
	<li>Identify postural asymmetry which includes spontaneous or evoked barrel-rolling, falling to the left side, or moving around while leaning toward the lesioned side18. See Video 1.</li>
	<li>Identify nystagmus by a visual inspection of voluntary eye movement. When spontaneous nystagmus is absent in the resting state, puff air gently over the head of the animal18. See Video 2.</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Curthoys, I. S., Halmagyi, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Vestibular+compensation%3A+a+review+of+the+oculomotor%2C+neural%2C+and+clinical+consequences+of+unilateral+vestibular+loss%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Vestibular+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Vestibular compensation: a review of the oculomotor, neural, and clinical consequences of unilateral vestibular loss.</a> Journal of Vestibular Research. 5 (2), 67-107 (1995).</li>
<li>Smith, P. F., Curthoys, I. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mechanisms+of+recovery+following+unilateral+labyrinthectomy%3A+a+review%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Brain+Research.+Brain+Research+Reviews%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mechanisms of recovery following unilateral labyrinthectomy: a review.</a> Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews. 14 (2), 155-180 (1989).</li>
<li>Lacour, M., Helmchen, C., Vidal, P. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Vestibular+compensation%3A+the+neuro-otologist%27s+best+friend%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neurology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Vestibular compensation: the neuro-otologist's best friend.</a> Journal of Neurology. 263, Suppl 1. S54-S64 (2016).</li>
<li>Darlington, C. L., Smith, P. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Molecular+mechanisms+of+recovery+from+vestibular+damage+in+mammals%3A+recent+advances%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Progress+in+Neurobiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Molecular mechanisms of recovery from vestibular damage in mammals: recent advances.</a> Progress in Neurobiology. 62 (3), 313-325 (2000).</li>
<li>Shinder, M. E., Ramanathan, M., Kaufman, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Asymmetric+gene+expression+in+the+brain+during+acute+compensation+to+unilateral+vestibular+labyrinthectomy+in+the+Mongolian+gerbil%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Vestibular+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Asymmetric gene expression in the brain during acute compensation to unilateral vestibular labyrinthectomy in the Mongolian gerbil.</a> Journal of Vestibular Research. 16 (4-5), 147-169 (2006).</li>
<li>Dutheil, S., Brezun, J. M., Leonard, J., Lacour, M., Tighilet, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neurogenesis+and+astrogenesis+contribution+to+recovery+of+vestibular+functions+in+the+adult+cat+following+unilateral+vestibular+neurectomy%3A+cellular+and+behavioral+evidence%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neurogenesis and astrogenesis contribution to recovery of vestibular functions in the adult cat following unilateral vestibular neurectomy: cellular and behavioral evidence.</a> Neuroscience. 164 (4), 1444-1456 (2009).</li>
<li>Gunther, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((N-acetyl-L-leucine+accelerates+vestibular+compensation+after+unilateral+labyrinthectomy+by+action+in+the+cerebellum+and+thalamus%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+One%22%5BJournal%5D)">N-acetyl-L-leucine accelerates vestibular compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy by action in the cerebellum and thalamus.</a> PLoS One. 10 (3), e0122015(2015).</li>
<li>Pericat, D., Farina, A., Agavnian-Couquiaud, E., Chabbert, C., Tighilet, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Complete+and+irreversible+unilateral+vestibular+loss%3A+a+novel+rat+model+of+vestibular+pathology%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neuroscience+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">Complete and irreversible unilateral vestibular loss: a novel rat model of vestibular pathology.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 283, 83-91 (2017).</li>
<li>Cass, S. P., Goshgarian, H. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Vestibular+compensation+after+labyrinthectomy+and+vestibular+neurectomy+in+cats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Otolaryngology-Head+and+Neck+Surgery%22%5BJournal%5D)">Vestibular compensation after labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy in cats.</a> Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 104 (1), 14-19 (1991).</li>
<li>Vignaux, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Evaluation+of+the+chemical+model+of+vestibular+lesions+induced+by+arsanilate+in+rats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Toxicology+and+Applied+Pharmacology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Evaluation of the chemical model of vestibular lesions induced by arsanilate in rats.</a> Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 258 (1), 61-71 (2012).</li>
<li>Berryhill, W. E., Graham, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Chemical+and+physical+labyrinthectomy+for+Meniere%27s+disease%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Otolaryngologic+Clinics+of+North+America%22%5BJournal%5D)">Chemical and physical labyrinthectomy for Meniere's disease.</a> Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 35 (3), 675-682 (2002).</li>
<li>Morgenstern, C., Mori, N., Arnold, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Experimental+studies+on+the+effect+of+labyrinth+anesthesia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Archives+of+Oto-Rhino-Laryngology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Experimental studies on the effect of labyrinth anesthesia.</a> Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 237 (3), 255-261 (1983).</li>
<li>Nadasy, G. L., Raffai, G., Feher, E., Schaming, G., Monos, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+simple+standard+technique+for+labyrinthectomy+in+the+rat%3A+a+methodical+communication+with+a+detailed+description+of+the+surgical+process%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Physiology+International%22%5BJournal%5D)">A simple standard technique for labyrinthectomy in the rat: a methodical communication with a detailed description of the surgical process.</a> Physiology International. 103 (3), 354-360 (2016).</li>
<li>Hitier, M., Besnard, S., Vignaux, G., Denise, P., Moreau, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+ventrolateral+surgical+approach+to+labyrinthectomy+in+rats%3A+anatomical+description+and+clinical+consequences%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Surgical+and+Radiologic+Anatomy%22%5BJournal%5D)">The ventrolateral surgical approach to labyrinthectomy in rats: anatomical description and clinical consequences.</a> Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy. 32 (9), 835-842 (2010).</li>
<li>Flourens, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&safe=off&q=author%3aFlourens%2C+MJ+%22Recherches+experimentales+sur+les+propri%C3%A9t%C3%A9s+et+les+fonctions+du+syst%C3%A8me+nerveux+dans+les+animaux+vert%C3%A9br%C3%A9s%22">Recherches experimentales sur les propriétés et les fonctions du système nerveux dans les animaux vertébrés</a>. , Crevot. Paris. (1824).</li>
<li>T'Ang, Y., Wu, C. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+effects+of+unilateral+labyrinthectomy+in+the+albino+rat%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Chinese+Journal+of+Physiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">The effects of unilateral labyrinthectomy in the albino rat.</a> Chinese Journal of Physiology. 10, 571-598 (1936).</li>
<li>Chang, M. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((MicroRNAs+218a-5p%2C+219a-5p%2C+and+221-3p+regulate+vestibular+compensation%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Scientific+Reports%22%5BJournal%5D)">MicroRNAs 218a-5p, 219a-5p, and 221-3p regulate vestibular compensation.</a> Scientific Reports. 7 (1), 8701(2017).</li>
<li>Bergquist, F., Ludwig, M., Dutia, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Role+of+the+commissural+inhibitory+system+in+vestibular+compensation+in+the+rat%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22The+Journal+of+Physiology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Role of the commissural inhibitory system in vestibular compensation in the rat.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 586 (18), 4441-4452 (2008).</li>
<li>Cameron, S. A., Dutia, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Cellular+basis+of+vestibular+compensation%3A+changes+in+intrinsic+excitability+of+MVN+neurones%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22NeuroReport%22%5BJournal%5D)">Cellular basis of vestibular compensation: changes in intrinsic excitability of MVN neurones.</a> NeuroReport. 8 (11), 2595-2599 (1997).</li>
<li>Park, M. K., Lee, B. D., Lee, J. D., Jung, H. H., Chae, S. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Gene+profiles+during+vestibular+compensation+in+rats+after+unilateral+labyrinthectomy%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Annals+of+Otology%2C+Rhinology+%26+Laryngology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Gene profiles during vestibular compensation in rats after unilateral labyrinthectomy.</a> Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 121 (11), 761-769 (2012).</li>
<li>Yamamoto, H., Tominaga, M., Sone, M., Nakashima, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Contribution+of+stapedial+artery+to+blood+flow+in+the+cochlea+and+its+surrounding+bone%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Hearing+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Contribution of stapedial artery to blood flow in the cochlea and its surrounding bone.</a> Hearing Research. 186 (1-2), 69-74 (2003).</li>
<li>Potegal, M., Abraham, L., Gilman, S., Copack, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Technique+for+vestibular+neurotomy+in+the+rat%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Physiology+%26+Behavior%22%5BJournal%5D)">Technique for vestibular neurotomy in the rat.</a> Physiology & Behavior. 14 (2), 217-221 (1975).</li>
<li>Tung, V. W., Burton, T. J., Dababneh, E., Quail, S. L., Camp, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Behavioral+assessment+of+the+aging+mouse+vestibular+system%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%22%5BJournal%5D)">Behavioral assessment of the aging mouse vestibular system.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (89), e51605(2014).</li>
<li>de Jeu, M., De Zeeuw, C. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Video-oculography+in+mice%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%22%5BJournal%5D)">Video-oculography in mice.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. 65 (65), e3971(2012).</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

This technique is a useful method for creating sudden, permanent, and complete vestibular function loss. This could be used to study vestibular pathologies, such as vestibular neuritis, an acoustic tumor, and Meniere&#39;s disease. Many studies have used this technique to study the neuronal plasticity of vestibular nuclei or the related central process5,17,18,19.
The...

The vestibular organ is essential for balance and eye control. A normal vestibular function depends upon symmetrical afferent signals from the vestibular organs in the two inner ears. Vestibular hypofunction or loss induces dizziness, nystagmus, and postural imbalance. After acute damage, the vestibular function recovers spontaneously within several days, a process known as vestibular compensation1,2. The vestibular compensation of static deficits is a process of recovery related to the imbalance of spontaneous resting activity between the ipsilateral and contralateral vestibular nuclei. The vestibular compensation of dynamic deficits is achieved principally via sensory and behavioral substitutions (using visual or somatosensory inputs)3.These processes are attractive for neuronal plasticity studies4,5.
A number of methods have been developed to study the vestibular system and the mechanisms underpinning neuronal plasticity during vestibular compensation, such as surgical and chemical labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy5,6,7,8. Vestibular neurectomy is a certain way to induce complete vestibular loss, but it is a more difficult and invasive procedure and may induce brain damage8,9. This method requires greater surgical skill and takes more time than labyrinthectomy. Chemical labyrinthectomy including gentamycin, arsanilate, and tetracaine, is easier and can yield reliable results10,11,12. However, the cochlea may also be damaged and vestibular loss may develop over time11. Additionally, the effects of the chemicals on the brain, which should be preserved for accurate evaluation, are unclear. Surgical labyrinthectomy was first introduced in animal studies in 184215 and was first reported in the rat in 193616. This technique has since been used in many animal studies5,17,18,19. Surgical labyrinthectomy is a specific, reliable, and relatively simple method.13,14 Moreover, the symptoms of vestibular damage are seen immediately after surgery. Here, we describe our surgical technique for rat labyrinthectomy.

<table><tbody><tr><td>ASPIRATOR KB-012</td><td>KOH BONG &amp;amp; CO., LTD.</td><td>KB-012</td><td>Medical aspirator</td></tr><tr><td>Blade: #15</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#10015-00</td><td>Blades for #7 Scalpel Handles, #15</td></tr><tr><td>Carbon Steel Burrs</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#19007-05</td><td>shaft diameter: 2.3 mm, length: 44 mm, package of 10 burrs</td></tr><tr><td>Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH</td><td>Carl Zeiss</td><td>#6627100863</td><td>Surgical microscope</td></tr><tr><td>Dumont #3c</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#11231-20</td><td>Standard tip 0.17 x 0.10 mm, 11 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Dumont #5SF</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#11252-00</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dumont #7B</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#11270-20</td><td>Serrated 0.17 x 0.10 mm, 11 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Extra Fine Bonn: straight</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#14084-08</td><td>Iris scissors, best suited for microdissection under high magnification</td></tr><tr><td>Fine Iris Scissors: straight</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#14094-11</td><td>Made from martensitic stainless steel, combined with molybdenum and vanadium</td></tr><tr><td>Finger Loop Ear Punch</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#24212-01</td><td>1 mm. Provides stability and control for researchers using the numbering system</td></tr><tr><td>Hartman</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#13002-10</td><td>Tip width: 1 cm, serrated, 10 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Short Scalpel Handle #7 Solid</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#10003-12</td><td>#7 short, 12 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Small Vessel Cauterizer</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#18000-03</td><td>Replacement tip, straight knife, keeps bleeding to a minimum and therefore provides a surgical field clear of clamps and hemostats</td></tr><tr><td>Strong 207S</td><td>SAESHIN</td><td>207S</td><td>Powerful torque at low speed, available with speed or on/off foot controller</td></tr><tr><td>Suction Tubes</td><td>JEUNGDO B&amp;amp;P CO., LTD.</td><td>H-1927-8</td><td>Frazier, 18 cm</td></tr><tr><td>VICRYL</td><td>ETHICON</td><td>W9570T</td><td>Synthetic absorbable sterile surgical suture</td></tr><tr><td>Weitlaner-Locktite</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>#17012-13</td><td>Maximum spread: 4.5 cm, 2 x 3 blunt teeth, 11 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Zoletil</td><td>Virbac, France</td><td></td><td>Tiletamine-zolazepam</td></tr><tr><td>Rompun</td><td>Bayer</td><td></td><td>Xylazine</td></tr><tr><td>Rimadyl</td><td>Pfizer</td><td></td><td>Carprofen</td></tr><tr><td>Septra</td><td>Pfizer</td><td></td><td>Trimethoprim-sulfonamide&amp;nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>

surgical labyrinthectomy of the rat to study the vestibular system

Surgical Labyrinthectomy of the Rat to Study the Vestibular System

To study the vestibular system or the vestibular compensation process, a number of methods have been developed to cause vestibular damage, including surgical or chemical labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy. Surgical labyrinthectomy is a relatively simple, reliable, and rapid method. Here, we describe the surgical technique for rat labyrinthectomy. A postauricular incision is made under general anesthesia to expose the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane, after which the tympanic membrane and the ossicles are removed without the stapes. The stapes artery, which is located between the stapes and the oval window, is a vulnerable structure and must be preserved to obtain a clear surgical field. A hole to fenestrate the vestibule is made with a 2.1-mm drill bur superior to the stapes. Then, 100% ethanol is injected through this hole and aspirated several times. Meticulous dissection under a microscope and careful bleeding control are essential to obtain reliable results. Symptoms of vestibular loss, such as nystagmus, head tilting, and a rolling motion, are seen immediately after surgery. The rotarod or rotation chair test can be used to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the vestibular function.

The success of the surgery was validated by behavioral tests. All animals exhibited the typical behavior of a unilateral loss of vestibular function. Spontaneous barrel-rolling was evident immediately after surgery, being evoked by an air puff over the head or a light touch to the body in the early recovery phase (Video 1). 3 d after surgery, the animals moved around leaning toward the lesioned side with occasional falls to the left side. Spontaneous nystagmus was observe...

This protocol describes the surgical labyrinthectomy of a rat, which is a useful method for studying the vestibular system.

To study the vestibular system or the vestibular compensation process, a number of methods have been developed to cause vestibular damage, including ...

surgical-labyrinthectomy-of-the-rat-to-study-the-vestibular-system

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

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Learn surgical labyrinthectomy in rats to study the vestibular system and compensation processes. This rapid technique preserves the stapes artery while enabling investigation of vestibular function loss.

Surgical Labyrinthectomy of the Rat to Study the Vestibular System

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