Protocol for canalostomy in rats to enable inner ear injection

  • STAR Protoc. 2026 Jun 20;7(3):104645. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104645.
Lei Zhang  1 ,  Hanwen Zhou  2 ,  Wenjie Liu  2 ,  Siyue Wang  2 ,  Huiyue Wang  2 ,  Jinyu Wang  2 ,  Ning Cong  2 ,  Jing Wang  3
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
  • 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 42322612 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104645
Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for precise inner ear access in rats using a refined canalostomy technique. We describe steps for surgical exposure of the mastoid bone, localization of the target semicircular canal, fenestration using a cranial drill, and quantitative microinjection of agents. We further validate this approach by presenting fluorescence-based assessment results. This standardized approach enables reproducible delivery of chemicals or viruses into the inner ear.

Keywords
Genetics; Model Organisms; Neuroscience.
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