The Spritztube: A New Device for the Extraglottic Intubation of Rabbits

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Several factors contribute to increasing the peri-anaesthetic risk in rabbits; above all, the airway management is challenging due to their peculiar anatomic characteristics. In human anaesthesia, the Spritztube (ST), an extraglottic airway device, has recently been developed for airway management. In the present study, an anatomical evaluation of rabbit cadavers was first carried out with the aim of designing a specific ST for rabbits. In the second phase of the study, the STs designed were evaluated on privately owned rabbits undergoing general anaesthesia to test their feasibility and safety regarding airway management in this species. The results demonstrated that the correct positioning of the ST can be completed in 43 ± 21.4 s with an average of 2.1 ± 1 attempts. Respiratory distress during ST positioning was the only complication observed in one rabbit. In conclusion, STs specifically designed for rabbits can be used as a supraglottic airway device for the maintenance of isoflurane anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing animals. ABSTRACT: The Spritztube (ST) is an extraglottic airway device developed for humans. The aim of the study was to design an ST for rabbits and to evaluate its feasibility. The study was divided into two phases. Phase I: anatomical study on 12 rabbit cadavers to design 2 STs (8 and 10 Ch, external diameter) for rabbits. Phase II: fourteen privately owned rabbits were anaesthetised, and intubation was attempted using a ST. Tube size, the method for confirming the correct positioning, the number of attempts, the time needed for the correct positioning of the ST and complications were recorded. The ST placement was feasible in all rabbits. The positioning of the ST was completed in 2.1 ± 1 attempts in 43 ± 21.4 s. A correct placement was confirmed by the visualisation of the proximal cuff at visual inspection of the oral cavity (14/14), by the detection of the airflow (9/14 rabbits) and by the visualisation of a capnographic wave (14/14 rabbits). Only one rabbit developed respiratory distress after the ST placement. The results of the present study allowed designing a ST specific for rabbits which was used a supraglottic airway device for the maintenance of isoflurane anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing rabbits.