Ventral approach to the rat middle ear for otologic research

OBJECTIVE: To describe a simple approach to the rat middle ear because ther e are few clear descriptions of this technique with minimal morbidity and m ortality. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Six male tong-Evans rats were used in this study. We de signed a cervical approach to the middle ear with the purpose of creating a n experimental model of ossiculoplasty that permits the postoperative survi val of the animal. RESULTS: It was possible in all cases to visualize the majority of structur es of the tympanic cavity: promontory, round window, stapedial artery, stap es, incus, and tympanic membrane. There were no cases of postoperative infe ction or facial paralysis. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The ventral approach to the rat middle ear is a rapid and simple technique that makes the rat the animal of choice for m any otologic investigations.