A new ureteral anastomotic device: the Unilink system. A pilot study using the porcine model.
OBJECTIVE
Ureteral injury is a complication of gynecologic surgery in approximately 1% of all cases. The anatomic site of the injury determines the type of operative repair. When an end-to-end ureteral anastomosis is required, interrupted sutures are usually used. A prospective, randomized animal study was performed to determine the efficacy of a new microvascular anastomotic device, the Unilink system, in repairing transected ureters.


METHODS
Nineteen pigs underwent randomized anastomosis with the Unilink system on one side and traditional anastomosis with suture on the contralateral side. A postoperative intravenous pyelogram was performed immediately and 2 weeks later, before the anastomotic site at a second laparotomy was harvested. Patency rates for each type of anastomosis were compared microscopically, and the degree of hydronephrosis was compared grossly and radiographically.


CONCLUSIONS
The anastomotic repair with the Unilink system did not significantly differ structurally or functionally from traditional suture repair.
Maxwell
G L
GL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920.
Maxwell
L
L
Soisson
A P
AP
O'Hair
K
K
Harris
R A
RA
Miles
P
P
Casey
T
T
Diaz-Ball
F
F
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013552:Swine; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*