title: Vascular anastomosis using a biodegradable device with a heat-shrinking sleeve: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to present a simple mechanical anastomosis system capable of uniting vessels of differing diameters and to evaluate its applicability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new mechanical system for anastomosis of small vessels was used in 30 rabbits to join 100 sectioned carotid arteries and jugular veins. The system is resorbable and consists of a cuff and a shrinkable sleeve. To carry out the anastomosis, one vessel end is pulled through the cuff and everted over it. The second vessel end is then slipped over the everted vessel end and the cuff. A heat-shrinking sleeve is positioned over the site and shrunk to produce permanent fixation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall patency rate of the anastomoses was 96.6% in the arteries and 93.3% in veins. Microscopically, the intima-to-intima contact sites were bridged by an endothelial layer in the first postoperative weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advantages of the system include a short insertion time, simple instrumentation, a high patency rate, and resorbability. However, the method requires additional vessel length for eversion, and it cannot be used for end-to-side anastomoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bähr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosbander
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gutwald
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scholz
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery*; D002425:Cautery; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D011817:Rabbits; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid