title: Complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck microsurgical aneurysm formation in the rabbit bifurcation model for the study of upcoming endovascular techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite rapid advances in the development of materials and techniques for endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment, occlusion of large broad-neck aneurysms remains a challenge. Animal models featuring complex aneurysm architecture are needed to test endovascular innovations and train interventionalists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven adult female New Zealand rabbits were assigned to 3 experimental groups. Complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck venous pouch aneurysms were surgically formed at an artificially created bifurcation of both CCAs. Three and 5 weeks postoperatively, the rabbits underwent 2D-DSA and CE-3D-MRA, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mortality was 0%. We observed no neurologic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal complications. The aneurysm patency rate was 91% (1 aneurysm thrombosis). There was 1 postoperative aneurysm hemorrhage (9% morbidity). The mean aneurysm volumes were 176.9 ± 63.6 mm(3), 298.6 ± 75.2 mm(3), and 183.4 ± 72.4 mm(3) in bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck aneurysms, respectively. The mean operation time was 245 minutes (range, 175-290 minutes). An average of 27 ± 4 interrupted sutures (range, 21-32) were needed to create the aneurysms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating complex venous pouch bifurcation aneurysms in the rabbit with low morbidity, mortality, and high short-term aneurysm patency. The necks, domes, and volumes of the bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck aneurysms created are larger than those previously described. These new complex aneurysm formations are a promising tool for in vivo animal testing of new endovascular devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. serge.marbacher@ksa.ch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marbacher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erhardt
authors.forename: J-A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Schläppi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coluccia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Remonda
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fandino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherif
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008866:Microsurgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011817:Rabbits; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures