Inferior Lacrimal Gland Removal From Rabbit Model: A Surgical Procedure to Remove the Larger Inferior Tear Gland From Rabbit Eye Orbit

To resect the larger inferior lacrimal gland or ILG, use the Colorado microdissection needle to incise and separate the skin, the depressor muscle of the inferior palpebra, the zygomaticolabial part of the zygomatic muscle, and the orbicularis muscle. Maintain hemostasis with the monopolar cautery.

As the incision is carried deeper through the skin marking, look for the sheen of a fascial plane over the zygomatic bone or superficial part of the masseter muscle. At this point, maintain the tissue plane and carry it superiorly toward the orbital rim.

Identify and incise the capsule surrounding the ILG, then, identify the tan tissue of the ILG. Only the anterior portion of the ILG head will be visible, but it can be followed medially as it passes beneath the zygomatic arch and transitions into the tail.

Use tenotomy scissors to cut the orbital septum along the inferior rim, exposing the more posterior portion of the ILG tail. Once the tissue plane is identified, extend the dissection posteriorly along the entire incision line. Use extreme care to not damage the blood supply, which the ILG receives from branches of the carotid artery.

Once the entire ILG has been exposed, remove it. If the tail terminates under the posterior canthus, see the manuscript for excision directions. Due to its large size, it can be preferable to cut the gland in half, and remove the head separately from the tail.

After the gland has been removed, close the deep connective tissue plane with multiple interrupted 5-0 ethylene terephthalate sutures. Then, close the superficial muscles and skin with a running 6-0 polyglactin 910 suture, using 0.3 tissue forceps and a needle driver.