Contemporary topics in laboratory animal science / American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
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Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci · Jul 2004
Comparative StudyEndotracheal tubes versus laryngeal mask airways in rabbit inhalation anesthesia: ease of use and waste gas emissions.
In this study, we compared two endotracheal tubes (cuffed [Murphy Eye type] and uncuffed [Cole type]) and a pediatric laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with respect to their ease of use in rabbits and their capacities to limit waste isoflurane emissions. Animals (New Zealand White, 3.3 to 5.0 kg, n = 8) were sedated with intramuscular ketamine (50 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). After 5 min, the larynx was numbed with cetocaine, an intubation device was positioned, and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (2%) in oxygen (1 liter/min). ⋯ Isoflurane was not detected in the operator's breathing zone. These data show that the uncuffed endotracheal tube (usually used to anesthetize birds and reptiles) and the pediatric LMA can be used in rabbits as readily as a cuffed tube. In addition, our findings indicate that tradeoffs will be required in selecting a delivery system for this species, as the easiest apparatus (the LMA) also emits the most isoflurane waste.