Dorsal laminectomy in the adult mouse: a model for nervous system research

Animal strains with specific genetic mutations can serve as powerful tools to study normal and pathologic cellular and molecular processes. The mammalian species with the largest number of known genetic mutations is the mouse. In spinal cord research, mice have not been used as extensively as other species because of the difficulty in accessing and manipulating their spinal cord. We describe the technique of exposing and manipulating the spinal cord of normal mice and of mice with the severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mutation. Surgical outcome and complications are discussed. We conclude that dorsal laminectomy with subsequent access and manipulation of the spinal cord and its roots can be accomplished consistently with practice.