Orotracheal Intubation Guides for Rabbits
AirRab is an innovative airway-guiding device designed based on computed tomography imaging.
What is AirRab?
AirRab is an innovative airway-guiding device designed based on computed tomography imaging.
Serving as an inverted “U”-shaped channel, it replicates the width, length, and angulation of a rabbit’s oropharynx, guiding the endotracheal tube smoothly from the mouth to the laryngeal opening.
A study published in Journal of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
A study published in Journal of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia demonstrated that when two veterinarians inexperienced in rabbit orotracheal intubation performed the procedure using AirRab, their success rate surpassed both the videoscopic technique and the traditional blind method. The procedure was also faster and trauma-free.
Nejamkin P et al. Development and evaluation of an anatomically designed and 3D printed device to enhance orotracheal intubation success in rabbits by inexperienced veterinarians. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2023
AirRab Kit
The AirRab Kit includes three precisely 3D-printed cannulas made from medical-grade TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). This material ensures flexibility, durability, and safe placement—minimizing injury risk.
Sizes
Available Sizes
AirRab comes in three sizes to accommodate a range of rabbit sizes:
Size M – Ideal for adult rabbits weighing 2 to 3.5 kg
Size S or L – Recommended for smaller or larger rabbits, respectively
Usage Instructions
1. Patient Positioning
– Place the rabbit in sternal recumbency.
– Hold the head in dorsiflexion, angled upward and toward the tail, forming an approximately 90° angle with the thoracic spine. This ensures proper head–neck alignment.
2. Oral Cavity Preparation
– Gently open the rabbit’s mouth.
– Retract the tongue using gauze for improved oropharyngeal access.
3. Device Insertion
– Lubricate the AirRab device thoroughly.
– Gently insert until slight resistance is felt, indicating contact with the larynx. The external handle should remain outside the mouth. The correct size is one that spans from the incisors to the larynx.
4. Endotracheal Tube Placement
– Gently insert the endotracheal tube—without a stylet—using AirRab as a guide.
– Listen for respiratory sounds through the tube to confirm correct direction.
5. Adjustments During Insertion
– If necessary, make gentle adjustments—slight advancement, retraction, or rotation of the tube—to navigate through the arytenoid cartilages.
6. Intubation Confirmation
– Confirm successful placement using capnography.
7. Device Removal
– Once intubation is complete, carefully remove the device without displacing the endotracheal tube.
Precautions
– Ensure the patient is adequately anesthetized.
– Always have oxygen available and monitor hemoglobin saturation with a pulse oximeter.
– Continually assess airway patency. If obstruction is detected, remove AirRab immediately.
– All movements must be gentle—do not force the cannula or the tube.
– Always use veterinary-safe gels or sprays to lubricate both the device and the endotracheal tubes.