Neurosurgical approaches to the brain of the domestic rabbit - Anatomical study

Craniotomy remains one of the most intricate neurosurgical procedures in both human and veterinary medicine, demanding precise anatomical orientation to minimize risks during and after surgery. Domestic rabbits are widely used as experimental models in neuroscience due to their manageable size. However, craniotomy in rabbits is associated with a range of potential complications. Therefore, it is essential to avoid trauma to the brain parenchyma and cerebral vasculature, preserve the integrity of the dura mater, and minimize both intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. Although several studies have addressed experimental craniotomy techniques, many lack detailed anatomical descriptions for safely accessing specific brain regions while reducing the size of the bone window. The aim of this anatomical study was to describe and document craniotomy approaches in domestic rabbits in detail. Fifteen heads from adult female domestic rabbits were used. The heads were fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formalin for fourteen days. Four surgical approaches were successfully identified and described: the dorsal frontoparietal approach, the transfrontal approach, the cerebellar approach (dorsal occipito-interparietal), and the lateral frontoparietal approach (unilateral and bilateral). These approaches offer refined, reproducible access to targeted intracranial structures while minimizing surgical trauma. The findings of this study support future research in both veterinary and human medicine. Further in vivo validation is recommended to optimize these techniques and promote the development of anatomically guided, low-complication surgical protocols.