Journal of Otology

Journal of Otology

Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2015, Pages 72-77
Journal of Otology

Standardized surgical approaches to ear surgery in rats

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joto.2015.03.004Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

Objective

To describe several approaches of ear surgeries for experimental studies in rats.

Methods

Anesthetized rats were prepared for demonstration of various ear surgery approaches designed to optimize experimental outcomes in studies with specific goals and exposure requirements. The surgical approaches included the posterior tympanum, superior tympanum, inferior tympanum and occipital approaches.

Results

The middle ear cavity and inner ear were successfully exposed from different angles via the mentioned surgical approaches. For example, electrode placement for recording of cochlear bioelectric responses was easily achieved through the posterior tympanum or inferior tympanum approach. Alternatively, drug delivery or gene transfection via round window membrane was most easily accomplished using the posterior tympanum approach. Cochlear perfusion of protective or ototoxic drugs was best performed using the inferior tympanum approach. Ossicular chain interruption to induce a prolonged conductive hearing loss was readily achieved using a superior tympanum approach. Lastly, surgical destruction of the endolymphatic sac to induce experimental endolymphatic hydrops was readily performed via an occipital surgical approach.

Conclusion

These standardized surgical approaches can be applied in scientific studies of the ear with different purposes covering electrophysiology, conductive hearing loss, intra-cochlear drug perfusion and experimental studies relevant to Meniere's disease.

Keywords

Rat
Middle ear
Inner ear
Surgical approach

Cited by (0)

Peer review under responsibility of PLA General Hospital Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.