[Endo-tracheal intubation technique in rats using a guide wire--application for trachea transplantation]

Sometimes endo-tracheal intubation on rats is needed for experiments on the chest, but usually it is difficult. A new oral intubation technique on rats was developed. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, a tracheostomy was carried out, and a smooth coated guiding wire was inserted retrogradely up to the mouth. The tube was then inserted into the trachea from mouth along the guiding wire. This technique is applied to trachea transplantation, and subsequently reduced operative mortality markedly from 54% to 2%.