A vessel occluder has been developed that is easy to use and provides
effective, safe, vascular occlusion. The occluder is small and is easi
ly rotatable in the operative field. It consists of a plastic backing
and a compliant foam strap that wraps around the blood vessel. The foa
m absorbs blood and irrigation which keeps the vessels moist during th
e anastomosis. This vessel occluder possesses the ability to vary the
amount of blood flow through the vessel, enabling the surgeon to ident
ify and readily repair anastomotic leaks. This occluder has been used
successfully by the authors in 100 anastomoses.