An improved transbuccal approach for hypophysectomy in the domestic fowl

The present paper describes an improved transbuccal approach for hypophysectomy in the domestic fowl. With this technique, the operative procedures are the same as in the transbuccal approach of Hill and Parkes (1934), except that the drilling angle is the same as in the oral approach of Rothchild (1948a,b), since the present anatomical investigation indicates that the hypophysis lies at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of the palate. An apparatus that was made to restrain the fowl head facilitates the operative procedure; even a novice can perform fowl hypophysectomy in more than 70% of the cases.