Microsurgical approach to the spinal canal in rats

The spinal cord of the rat has become a widely used model for biodynamic, pharmaceutical and neurological experiments. However, no standard procedure to approach the spinal cord in rats has been published in detail. We present a description of a dorsal approach to the spine, spinal canal and myelon of the rat. This approach provides sufficient exposure of the neural structures to perform extended microsurgery at the spinal nerve-roots, the lateral and dorsal myelon and vertebral structures under a surgical microscope. Perioperative management, anaesthesia and anatomical landmarks are discussed and common pitfalls are described.