Evaluation of a technique to occlude the internal carotid artery of horses

Objective-To evaluate an occlusion technique for the internal carotid arter y of horses using an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and ligatures proximally. Study Design-Experimental study. Animals-Six healthy adult horses. Methods-In each horse, the left internal carotid artery was occluded by pla cement of an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distall y and two ligatures proximally. Radiographs were taken on days 2, 5, 10, an d 30 after surgery to evaluate balloon inflation and position. Endoscopic e xamination of the left guttural pouch was performed 10 days after surgery t o evaluate the integrity of the internal carotid artery and surrounding tis sues. At 30 days, the left and right, common, internal, and external caroti d arteries were examined grossly and then processed for histologic evaluati on. Results-Immediate and long-term occlusion of the left internal carotid arte ry was achieved in all horses. The surgical procedure was technically strai ghtforward and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were encoun tered. The balloons remained inflated and in their original position throug hout the study. Maturing to mature, organized thrombi were present in the l eft internal carotid artery in all horses at 30 days. The cerebral arterial circle and common carotid artery were patent at their junctions with the i nternal carotid artery in all horses. Conclusions-Use of an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloo n distally and ligatures proximally is an effective technique for occluding the internal carotid artery of horses. Clinical Relevance-This technique m ay be useful for prevention of fatal hemorrhage in horses with lesions of t he internal carotid artery. (C) Copyright 1999 by The American College of V eterinary Surgeons.