A technique for pinealectomy in deer, with notes on the neuroanatomy

A technique for removing the pineal gland in adult and young male deer is described. A unilateral craniotomy or craniectomy was performed and the pineal gland was approached by parting the 2 hemispheres of the brain. The blood vessels supplying the pineal gland were coagulated and the gland was removed with forceps. Magnification, microtechniques, fiberoptic illumination, and bipolar coagulation rendered the surgical procedure safe and precise.