title: The use of high-frequency ultrasound for the dissection of small-diameter blood vessels and nerves.
abstract: The Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator has been successfully used in general surgery and neurosurgery. We have explored its use in the dissection of small-diameter blood vessels and nerves (1-2 mm) in a rat model. Our results seem to indicate that this technique may be useful in isolating blood vessels surrounded by fatty tissue without damage to the vessel itself. In this study, however, high-frequency ultrasound did cause significant damage to peripheral nerves.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Montefiore University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narayanan
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*