VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS--SUTURES, STAPLES OR GLUE?

Different vascular suturing techniques were assessed in the experimental laboratory. Staples made of tantulum wire were employed for vascular anastomoses in normal dogs' arteries and veins and in atherosclerotic rabbits' aortas. The staples were driven with the NRC Vascular Suturing Instrument. In a similar series of experiments a plastic bonding agent (Eastman 910) was used. The anastomosed vessels were found to be patent and few complications were encountered. However, it is unlikely that the conventional suture technique with the currently available materials will be replaced by these methods except under special circumstances. Clinical application of the stapling method is envisaged in the anastomosis of small vessels and in situations when speed is essential, whereas the bonding agent promises to be useful as an ancillary method in combination with sutures or staples.