A NEW VESSEL OCCLUDER FOR MICROVASCULAR ANASTOMOSES

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.