Evaluation of stricture formation as a complication of vasopuncture and vasography in the guinea pig

Abstract

Stricture formation at the site of injection for vasography has been observed clinically. An animal model was developed to evaluate this occurrence. Bilateral vasopuncture with a 25-gauge needle was carried out in 25 male guinea pigs. The sites of vas punture were marked with tantalum clips in the perivasal tissue. The left-sided vasa were injected with contrast material and the right sides with normal saline. These 50 vasa were evaluated for radiographic and histologic evidence of inflammation and stenosis 3 months following injection. Ninety-four per cent of the 50 vasa studied showed no significant stenosis. Those vasa exhibiting obstruction were in the first four animals studied, with no correlation as to which material was injected. This finding implicates technical factors as a cause for these results. In the guinea pig, vasopuncture with a fine-gauge needle and meticulous technique does not result in a significant rate of stenosis regardless of the medium injected.