title: The UNILINK instrument system for fast and safe microvascular anastomosis.
abstract: A new instrument system for fast and safe mechanical microvascular anastomosis is presented. It can be used for both end-to-end and end-to-side anastomosis of small arteries and veins and has the potential for use in other small tubular structures. With moderate training, the surgeon can perform the full microvascular anastomosis within 2 to 3 minutes. The device has proved successful in animal studies and in the clinic, with overall patency rates of about 98% in both arteries and veins.
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments