Craniotomy remains one of the most intricate neurosurgical procedures in both human and veterinary medicine, demanding precise anatomical orientation to minimize risks during and after surgery. Domestic rabbits are widely used as experimental models in neuroscience due to their manageable size. However, craniotomy in rabbits is associated with a range of potential complications. Therefore, it is essential to avoid trauma to the brain parenchyma and cerebral vasculature, preserve the integrity of the dura mater, and minimize both intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. Although several studies have addressed experimental craniotomy techniques, many lack detailed anatomical descriptions for safely accessing specific brain regions while reducing the size of the bone window. The aim of this anatomical study was to describe and document craniotomy approaches in domestic rabbits in detail. Fifteen heads from adult female domestic rabbits were used. The heads were fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formalin for fourteen days. Four surgical approaches were successfully identified and described: the dorsal frontoparietal approach, the transfrontal approach, the cerebellar approach (dorsal occipito-interparietal), and the lateral frontoparietal approach (unilateral and bilateral). These approaches offer refined, reproducible access to targeted intracranial structures while minimizing surgical trauma. The findings of this study support future research in both veterinary and human medicine. Further in vivo validation is recommended to optimize these techniques and promote the development of anatomically guided, low-complication surgical protocols.
- Klíčová slova
- Craniotomy, Experimental neurosurgery, Rabbit brain,
- MeSH
- králíci anatomie a histologie chirurgie MeSH
- kraniotomie * veterinární metody MeSH
- mozek * chirurgie anatomie a histologie MeSH
- neurochirurgické výkony * veterinární metody MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- králíci anatomie a histologie chirurgie MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: External skeletal fixation is an established technique in cats for biological fixation of long bone fractures, stabilisation of the joints, and treatment of shearing injuries and angular deformities. As appropriate and accurate pin insertion is imperative for a successful outcome, knowledge of topographic anatomy and areas that are safe (safe corridors) for pin placement is integral to successful surgery. At present, however, safe corridors have not been determined fully in feline orthopaedics, with surgeons having to rely on knowledge based on canine orthopaedics. This study was performed to determine safe corridors for pin placement in feline long bones. METHODS: The limbs of six feline cadavers were frozen. Only limbs with no history of orthopaedic conditions were used. Transverse sections through the limbs were examined, and anatomical structures were determined in relation to the bone. These structures were compared with those of the contralateral limbs, which were dissected for topographic assessment. Safe corridors were defined as topographic areas where no vital structures, muscles or joints were present. RESULTS: Examination of the humerus revealed safe corridors at its proximal craniolateral aspect and on the medial and lateral humeral condyles. Safe corridors of the antebrachium were identified on the lateral aspect of the olecranon, the distal two-thirds of the medial antebrachium and the distal third of the lateral antebrachium. Safe corridors in the femur consisted of a small area lateral to and just below the major trochanter, and on the medial and lateral femoral condyles. Evaluation of the tibia revealed safe corridors on the medial aspect of the entire tibia, the cranial aspect of the proximal tibia on the tibial crest and the area just proximal to the lateral malleolus. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Safe corridors for pin placement during external skeletal fixation in feline limbs differed from those in canine limbs. Knowledge of canine anatomy may be inapplicable to pin placement in feline limbs undergoing external skeletal fixation.
- Klíčová slova
- External skeletal fixation, angular deformity, biological fixation, feline limb anatomy, fracture, osteosynthesis, pin insertion,
- MeSH
- externí fixátory * veterinární MeSH
- fixace fraktury metody veterinární MeSH
- humerus chirurgie MeSH
- kočky chirurgie MeSH
- kostní hřeby * veterinární MeSH
- psi MeSH
- tibie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- kočky chirurgie MeSH
- psi MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The objective of the study was to determine the effects of inferior alveolar nerve transection on inorganic components in mandibular molars of the rat. We used 26 male laboratory rats of the Wistar strain for the study, age 7-9 weeks. The rats were divided in three groups. The control group (intact) included 6 rats. The surgery was performed under general anesthesia. The experimental group included (group with the nerve transected on the left) included 12 rats. The sham group (group with the nerve prepared without transection) included 8 rats. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Molars from the left and right sides of the mandible were extracted. Element content levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The following elements were determined in all samples: magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and strontium (Sr). The nerve transection caused: a reduction of the contents of Ca and Sr in the mandibular molars; an increase in the contents of Mg and Zn; a difference arrangement of both sides for Na. The surgery approach itself caused a decrease in the contents of Na and K in the experimental and sham groups; the difference in K in M3 between the left and right sides disappeared due to the surgery. Our results have confirmed the hypothesis of inferior alveolar nerve transection having an effect on inorganic components in mandibular molars in the rat.
- Klíčová slova
- Elements, Inferior alveolar nerve, Molars of mandible, Nerve transection, Rats,
- MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- mandibula * chirurgie MeSH
- moláry chirurgie MeSH
- nervus mandibularis * fyziologie chirurgie MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
