title: Laser welding--suitable for vascular anastomosis?
abstract: Carotid arteries of 21 piglets were transsected and reanastomosed either by laser welding (Neodym:YAG laser) or by conventional suture anastomosis. Histological specimens of the anastomoses obtained 2 to 32 days after the operation showed less foreign body reaction and intimal hyperplasia after laser welding than after suturing. There was, however, no significant difference when comparing occurrence of thrombosis, patency rate, or growth of the anastomosis in growing animals. Neither our study nor a review of the literature of laser-assisted vascular anastomosis in microvessels and large arteries up to 5 mm diameter could establish a definite clinical application for laser welding in vascular anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmiedt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iversen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oelert
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes