Single barbed stainless steel coils for venous occlusion: a simple but useful modification.

Embolization of coils into the lungs has been reported following their use for the obliteration of large arteriovenous fistulas. So far, except for a recent report, they have not been used on the venous side of the circulation. Experimental studies at our institution demonstrated that the placement of coils on the venous side can result in embolization to the lungs, even when oversized coils are introduced. A simple, easy to perform modification of the standard stainless steel coils (Gianturco-Wallace-Chuang spring embolus and coilons) makes these devices safe embolic agents for used on the venous side of the circulation, as for example in the obliteration of spermatic veins.