Technique of experimental aneurysm formation in the rat common carotid artery using the milliwatt carbon dioxide laser and the adventitia patch model.

Aneurysms were induced in the rat common carotid artery by using the milliwatt carbon dioxide laser to weld an adventitia patch over a hole. This technique proved to be effective and reliable as demonstrated by the 100% incidence of aneurysm formation at the patch site in 28 rats killed 1 week or later after the procedure. It is suggested that this technique may be used to produce intracranial aneurysms in experimental animals due to the minimal vessel manipulation required.