BACKGROUND: Despite the high percentages of experimental and clinical patency rates achieved using so-called mechanical anastomotic devices (Unilink; 3M, St. Paul, MN; vascular staples) they remain little known and occasionally used. METHODS: The VCS Auto Suture microstapler technique for microvascular anastomosis was tested experimentally and compared with the conventional "gold standard" 10/0 end-to-end microvascular technique. Thirty carotid arteries on one side of 30 rabbits were stapled using nonpenetrating 0.9-mm (small) VCS Auto Suture microclips, and the other 30 carotid arteries on the other side were sutured in a conventional way with 10/0 monofilament nylon. A 100% patency rate was achieved on both sides. Biopsy was performed in five groups of rabbits at different time intervals postoperatively, and the specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: All 60 anastomoses were patent. Histomorphologic examination of the anastomotic site revealed no major differences between sutured and stapled groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled microvascular anastomosis technique is fast and reliable.
BACKGROUND: Despite the high percentages of experimental and clinical patency rates achieved using so-called mechanical anastomotic devices (Unilink; 3M, St. Paul, MN; vascular staples) they remain little known and occasionally used. METHODS: The VCS Auto Suture microstapler technique for microvascular anastomosis was tested experimentally and compared with the conventional "gold standard" 10/0 end-to-end microvascular technique. Thirty carotid arteries on one side of 30 rabbits were stapled using nonpenetrating 0.9-mm (small) VCS Auto Suture microclips, and the other 30 carotid arteries on the other side were sutured in a conventional way with 10/0 monofilament nylon. A 100% patency rate was achieved on both sides. Biopsy was performed in five groups of rabbits at different time intervals postoperatively, and the specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: All 60 anastomoses were patent. Histomorphologic examination of the anastomotic site revealed no major differences between sutured and stapled groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled microvascular anastomosis technique is fast and reliable.
Authors: H Noda; T Katoh; S Ikenaga; Y Ikeda; H Gohra; K Hamano; K Sugi; N Zempo; Y Fujimura; K Esato Journal: Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Date: 1998-11