COUPLING THE VENOUS ANASTOMOSIS - SAFE AND SIMPLE

Varous anastomotic coupling systems have been developed aiming to faci litate microvascular anastomoses. Of these only the 3M Precise Microva scular Anastomotic System (MAS) has recently gained increasing popular ity. However, clinical studies on the use of the MAS are sparse. We re port our clinical experience with the MAS in a two-centre study betwee n 1991 and 1996. Of the 96 MAS coupling rings used, 50 were accessible for final analysis, and a 100% patency rate was obtained. The main in dication is venous end-to-end anastomosis in vessels of minimal discre pancy. in selected cases in head and neck surgery even end-to-side ven ous anastomoses appear to be feasible. Although it is not universally applicable for microvascular anastomoses, we conclude that, if appropr iate, the MAS coupling device leads to a reliable venous anastomosis i n a greatly reduced operating time of less than 4 minutes. (C) 1997 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.