EXPERIMENTAL SACCULAR ANEURYSMS .2. A NEW MODEL IN SWINE

A new technique for surgical construction of experimental lateral sacc ular aneurysms on the common carotid artery of swine is described. It involves end-to-side suturing of an isolated segment of vein to an art ery. During a short period of parent artery clamping, an elliptical ar teriotomy is fashioned through the open-ended vein graft, the open end of which is subsequently tied and damps are removed to form an aneury smal vein pouch. The principal advantage of this technique is the shor t period of vascular damping necessary to isolate a segment of the par ent artery. This prevents severe endothelial injury and prolonged post operative vasospasm, both of which may promote intra-aneurysmal thromb osis. Narrow- or wide-necked aneurysms can be created. Steps in the su rgical construction of this model are detailed, and specific advantage s of using swine are highlighted.