An alternative method of endotracheal intubation of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Lab Anim. 2012 Jan;46(1):71-6. doi: 10.1258/la.2011.011092. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation was carried out in 11 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). A commercially available tilting stand and a Miller laryngoscope blade were used to visualize the larynx. Anaesthesia was induced with alphaxalone (10.6 ± 1.6 mg/kg intramuscularly, followed by 3.2 ± 1.2 mg/kg intravenously). The diameter of the proximal trachea easily fitted an endotracheal tube made from readily available material (a 12 G 'over the needle' catheter). Once the tip of the endotracheal tube was at the level of the vocal folds, the tube had to be gently rotated through a 180° angle in order to pass through the larynx into the trachea. Assessment of the dimensions of the larynx and trachea, and comparison with external anatomical features of the animals (n = 10) showed that the length of the trachea could be predicted by multiplying the craniosacral length of the marmoset by a factor of 0.42.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Callithrix / anatomy & histology
  • Callithrix / surgery*
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / instrumentation
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
  • Laryngoscopes*
  • Larynx / anatomy & histology
  • Pregnanediones / administration & dosage
  • Trachea / anatomy & histology

Substances

  • Anesthetics
  • Pregnanediones
  • alphaxalone