Clinicopathological characterizations of post-surgical vascular access button (VAB) sequelae in rats

National AALAS 2023 -- The surgical implantation of intra-vascular catheters for chronic direct vascular access has produced an essential animal model in rodent preclinical research. Historically, rat catheterization systems included an external port secured via a thoracic harness. With this method of vascular access, rats were restricted to individual housing and required robust technical management due to potential complications such as animal entrapment, skin ulceration and abscess formation. Modern refinements have led to the design of vascular access buttons (VABs) secured subcutaneously with catheterization of vasculature for compound infusion or direct blood sampling. This refinement has encouraged improvements in animal welfare by enabling social housing despite repetitive vascular access and the elimination of harness-related complications. Despite their wide availability and use, a published report describing the sequelae and interventional therapies for VAB placement complications is lacking in the current literature. This case series describes the clinical and histopathological post-surgical sequelae in Wistar-Han rats obtained from two suppliers with commercially marketed, dual vascularized (jugular and femoral vein) VAB devices.