title: Effect of vascular seal configuration using the LigaSure on arterial challenge pressure, time for seal creation, and histologic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of a vascular sealing technology on canine carotid arteries using various seal configurations to achieve maximal vessel security.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex-vivo study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 20).
  
  
  METHODS
  Carotid arteries (n = 40) were removed from the mid-cervical region of recently euthanatized dogs. Harvested vessels were closed with 2 circumferential ligatures (Group 1) or a vascular sealing device using 1 of 4 seal configurations of 1 or 2 seals combined with 1 or 2 machine activations/seal. The artery was instrumented to measure intraluminal pressure to evaluate the security of each seal during saline infusion. Maximum intraluminal pressure was recorded for each group, and time for application of each sealing protocol was compared using 1-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. Histologic features of the sealing protocols were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arterial closures for each group were effective in preventing leakage up to 300 mmHg. There was no significant difference in maximum intraluminal pressure between any group. A significant difference (P ≤ .001) was observed for time to seal creation between the groups using 1 and 2 seals. Histologic evaluation showed no differences between the different sealing protocols.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vessel sealing using a single seal created with a single activation cycle was adequate for sealing canine carotid arteries. Histologic examination did not demonstrate any disadvantages to multiple seals or multiple cycle activations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: Brad M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Matz
authors.forename: D Michael
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tillson
authors.forename: Harry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Boothe
authors.forename: Ray A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Russell C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cattley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*