From Femoral Vessels to the Urinary Bladder Through a Single Inguinal Incision in Swine: Interesting Images

Urinary bladder catheterization in swine can be technically challenging, particularly when experimental preparation also requires femoral vascular access. We illustrate a preperitoneal approach combining femoral vessel catheterization and cystostomy through a single inguinal incision. The technique was used in 20 three-month-old Landrace pigs (10 male and 10 female; 25–30 kg) during an approved acute, non-recovery experimental protocol. After femoral venous and arterial catheterization, the bladder was identified and exposed without formal mobilization. An 18 Fr Foley catheter was inserted through a small cystotomy and secured with a purse-string suture. Catheterization succeeded in all animals, with no observed intraoperative complications or urinary leakage; catheters remained patent. These observations demonstrate the technical feasibility of combined femoral vascular and urinary bladder access through a single inguinal incision in 20 pigs during an acute, non-recovery experiment; they do not establish comparative advantage or procedural safety.