Microvascular anastomosis using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate in the rat femoral artery.

Patency of the microvascular anastomosis is the most important requirement for tissue survival in free tissue transfer and in replantation. In efforts to improve on the standard suture method of microvascular anastomosis, new techniques such as limited-suture sleeve anastomoses and histoacryl glue anastomoses have been employed experimentally. However, as a result of factors such as tissue toxicity and suboptimal outcome, cyanoacrylates have not enjoyed clinical use. In addition, sleeve anastomoses continue to utilize suture, increasing the risks of intimal damage, platelet adhesion, and thrombosis. In an attempt to surmount these problems, the authors investigated the use of a new 2-octyl cyanoacrylate glue and a sutureless sleeve anastomosis. Anastomosis of 20 rat femoral arteries with a sutureless sleeve technique bonded with glue resulted in an 80% patency rate at 1 day to 3 weeks. Failures occurred in the first few attempts as the technique was evolving. These encouraging results suggest that 2-octyl cyanoacrylate may have applicability in quick, sutureless microvascular anastomoses.