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 catheter constructed easily and inexpensively from commercially available material was placed into the cisterna magna and fixed to the skull by anchoring screws and dental cement. The surgical procedure required a minimum of time and induced minimal trauma, allowing studies in which physiologic conditions are required. The Teflon catheter induced minimal foreign body reaction, the system had minimal dead volume, and its size was small enough to allow the simultaneous implantation of other devices.