An absorbable anastomotic device for microvascular surgery: experimental studies.

A new absorbable anastomotic device is presented. Over 200 anastomoses were done in the rabbit's carotid artery and posterior facial vein with an overall patency rate of 96 percent. Follow-up extended to 1 year in certain series. Its advantages over other devices include a consistently high patency rate, complete absorption by 70 days, lack of intraluminal foreign body, and simple instrumentation. Its principle advantage over suture anastomosis is a shortened insertion time (5 minutes). However, it does require additional vessel length for eversion and a skilled assistant. It can accommodate only limited vessel size discrepancies and has no capability for end-to-side anastomoses.