[A new anesthetic protocol in experimental ocular surgery in rabbits]

The authors describe a new anaesthetic protocol for laboratory rabbits. The surgery consists in an extracapsular lens extraction with intraocular lens implantation in the bag. The anaesthetic protocol requires: an intravenous induction with ketamine (20.2 mg/kg +/- 5) and midazolam (0.65 mg/kg +/- 0.3) and after an oral endotracheal intubation with a simple method, and at last maintaining halothane anaesthesia with a concentration between 3 and 4%. 45 anaesthesia were performed: the average time of the anaesthesia was 77 min +/- 16. No rabbit died because of this anaesthesia. The anaesthesia was a success for the surgeon who could operate in the best working conditions.