Intravascular foreign bodies

Abstract

Experiments were performed by introducing sterilized (1) untreated, (2) oiled silk, and (3) human hair into arteries and veins and observing the results. Twelve common carotid arteries and twelve external jugular veins were employed. The number of silk strands varied from the smallest single strands used in blood vessel suture to twenty-four such strands. Where a number were used they were threaded into suitably large needles and were not twisted. Cambric needles were used.

The experiments were performed by exposing the vessels of anesthetized dogs, transversely piercing the vessel with the needle as near the mid-line as possible, drawing the ligatures through and loosely tying the free ends together. Three weeks later specimens were taken and examined.

In no instance was there occlusion of the lumen nor was there any evidence to indicate that the vessels would have subsequently become occluded through thrombus formation. In general the ligatures were found dividing the lumen and coated with a substance closely resembling the intima in gross appearance.

In the case of one artery and one vein, an ordinary occluding ligature was first tied about the vessel, after which a transverse suture was introduced about one centimeter on each side of the ligature. The results in these cases did not materially differ from those observed on'the non-occluded vessels. No marked differences were observed with different kinds or sizes of sutures.

Microscopical results, particularly as regards the character of the deposit on the foreign surfaces and the presence or absence of intimal covering, will be reported later.