RE: Positioning for ET tube placement

Ivan Crotaz — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:33:30 GMT

[quote user="AliTee"]Does anyone know of a good position to hold a rabbit in, in order for ET tube placement[/quote]

Sternal position works well with the head extended but quite gently, so the nose is pointing more or less vertically. Be very careful not to overextend the head so that it starts to point backwards - as if your bunny wakes up you could do a fair bit of damage.

This position works well for guided intubations (otoscope, laryngoscope or endoscope) which we're going to discuss on the anaesthesia thread in a couple of days I think. I'd steer well clear of blind intubation as otoscopic intubation is quite easy and doesn't take any unusual equipment and carries a lower risk of accidental trauma. I did originally start intubating rabbits blind and I did use a similar sternal position, but I haven't done this for years now.

This position stretches things slightly so it's easier to flip the soft palate dorsally and the epiglottis ventrally - which means that you can then get the tube into the trachea.

RE: Positioning for ET tube placement

Nicola Smith — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 07:37:06 GMT

I hold them myself - in sternal hold upper jaw and extend neck up so it is very straight.