An anastomotic device for microvascular surgery: evolution.

A new anastomotic device is demonstrated that is suitable in microvascular surgery for repairing severed blood vessels and inserting vein grafts. Initial pilot studies indicate a 100% patency rate for vessel anastomosis, and a one-year study produced a 96% success rate. However, histological examination revealed notable vessel deterioration with a rigid device. Therefore, an absorbable anastomotic coupler was developed that demonstrates a high patency rate (92%) in both arteries and veins, with substantial absorption of the device by 70 days. Healing at the anastomotic site was qualitatively similar to that obtained with a sutured anastomosis; there was endothelialization by 14 days and absorption of the device by 70 days.