RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of perivascular and intravenous application of lidocaine on venous endothelial morphology of harvested rabbit vein graft. METHODS: This study was conducted in Gazi University Animal Research Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey in March 2009. Three ear veins of each rabbits (n=6) were used. Control group (Group C, n=6 vessels), vein segment was excised from the distal end. Perivascular group (Group P, n=6); 2 ml lidocaine 1% was injected in the perivascular area of the second vein of the same ear, and the vein segment was excised. Intravascular group (Group I, n=6); the vein in the second ear was clamped and 2 ml of lidocaine 1% was administered intravascular, and 5 minutes later, a 2 cm vein segment was excised. Nitric oxide synthase and thiobarbutiric acid reactive substance levels were measured, and histopathologic examination was performed to assess the effects of lidocaine administration. RESULTS: Histopathological findings in groups C, P and I were similar. There were lower thiobarbituric reactive substances level in groups I (p=0.024) and P (p=0.041) than the control group. Nitric oxide synthase activity was higher in groups I (p=0.026) and P (p=0.037) when compared to group C. CONCLUSION: Our results showed both perivascular infiltration and intravascular administration could prevent the consequences of endothelium damage that occurs during the harvesting of veins.
