title: Mechanism of tissue fusion in argon laser-welded vein-artery anastomoses.
abstract: The mechanism of laser vascular tissue welding remains unknown. This study compared the acute tissue response and long-term healing of sutured and laser-welded anastomoses of vein segments used to bypass ligated canine femoral arteries. For each procedure, one anastomosis was formed using running 6-0 polypropylene suture (control), and the other anastomosis was formed using argon laser tissue welding (experimental). The vein grafts were harvested at 4 (n = 2), 8 (n = 1), 12 (n = 1), and 16 (n = 2) weeks, and selected samples were evaluated by histologic examination, electron microscopy, tensile strength testing, and by measuring the formation of [3H]hydroxyproline as an index of collagen synthesis. Examination of successful laser fusions immediately after they were formed showed bonding of collagen to collagen and elastin to collagen. Follow-up evaluations showed that the precision of tissue apposition affected the rate of healing and tensile strength. Laser-welded anastomoses demonstrated a progression of healing similar to sutured repairs, with remodeling of fibrous tissue and collagen being the primary component of weld integrity. This study demonstrates that sutured and argon laser-welded vein-artery anastomoses heal comparably up to 16 weeks postoperatively, and that laser welding is a satisfactory alternative to sutured anastomoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90509.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kopchok
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Donayre
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Fujitani
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uitto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy