Superior Lacrimal Gland Removal: A Surgical Technique to Remove the Palpebral and Orbital Parts of Superior Lacrimal Gland from Rabbit Model

The superior lacrimal gland or SLG is an exocrine gland located above the eyeball in the lacrimal fossa - a cavity in the frontal bone. This gland secretes lacrimal fluid, which lubricates and protects the eye from bacterial infections.

This gland consists of two connected components; the larger orbital part or OSLG is located lateral to the skull's midline, while the smaller palpebral part or PSLG is present above the upper eyelid. To excise SLGs, take an anesthetized rabbit and prep it by shaving its fur on the head.

Locate a site near the midline of the skull and infiltrate it with local anesthesia. Use a specialized electrosurgery needle that uses electric current-induced burning to incise the skin and muscle layers while controlling bleeding by coagulation. Retract the overlaying muscles to visualize the OSLG. Apply pressure to elevate the gland from the incision site. 

Cauterize with the electrosurgery needle to truncate the gland at the incision site. For harvesting PSLG, evert the upper eyelid to locate the bulbous portion of the gland. Sever the connections of PSLG from the tarsus muscle of the eyelid removing the gland from the eye. Store both the compartments of the superior lacrimal glands till further use.