title: Feasibility of intracranial surgery in the rat fetus: model and surgical principles.
abstract: The feasibility of intracranial surgery in the rat fetus is demonstrated by the use of a microsurgical model. In utero craniotomy and cerebral incision have been performed successfully without compromise of the fetal-maternal unit. Maternal and fetal survival rates of 95 and 93%, respectively, are reported. Several principles of fetal surgery have been established and are discussed. These include the inhibition of uterine contraction, monitoring of physiological variables, timing of operation, microsurgical technique, and preservation of amniotic fluid. The fetal rat model is amenable to antenatal research because it fulfills certain criteria, including accurately timed pregnancies, littermate controls, inexpensiveness, and animal availability.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005328:Fetal Viability; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014945:Wound Healing