RAPID AND SIMPLE CANNULATION TECHNIQUE FOR REPEATED SAMPLING OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID IN THE CONSCIOUS RABBIT

A cannulation technique for continuous sampling of cerebrospinal fluid in unanesthetized freely moving rabbits was established. A permanent Teflon(R) catheter constructed easily and inexpensively from commercia lly available material was placed into the cisterna magna and fixed to the skull by anchoring screws and dental cement, The surgical procedu re required a minimum of time and induced minimal trauma, allowing stu dies in which physiologic conditions are required. The Teflon(R) cathe ter induced minimal foreign body reaction, the system had minimal dead volume, and its size was small enough to allow the simultaneous impla ntation of other devices.