Purpose: To describe a technique for micro catheterization of the external ophthalmic artery (EO) in pigs for investigational and training purposes.
Methods: Carotid angiography was performed in seven male domestic pigs. The external ophthalmic artery was reached with a microcatheter in order to administer a neoplastic drug in the eye.
Results: The external ophthalmic artery could be found arising from the infraorbital (IO) artery in the bend of the internal maxillary (IM) artery. It could be reached in every animal.
Conclusion: Following anatomic landmarks of the external carotid (EC) artery the ophthalmic artery can be easily reached and catheterized for training and investigational purposes.
Keywords: external ophthalmic artery; intra-arterial chemotherapy; microcatheters; neoplastic drug; pig; training.