An experimental study of the sleeve technique in microarterial anastomoses.

The patency rate of the technique of sleeve anastomosis was assessed in a series of femoral arterial repairs in the rabbit. It was found that the patency rate was significantly less than that achieved by the conventional end-to-end anastomosis. The minor advantage of speed of execution of the repair and the suppressed advantage of less luminal surface disruption and intraluminal suture exposure did not outweigh the overall lower patency rate as ascertained by direct exploration at varying times. These findings suggest that this type of sleeve anastomosis may not be of benefit in clinical situations.