LASER-WELDING - SUITABLE FOR VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS

Carotid arteries of 21 piglets were transsected and reanastomosed eith er by laser welding (Neodym:YAG laser) or by conventional suture anast omosis. Histological specimens of the anastomoses obtained 2 to 32 day s after the operation showed less foreign body reaction and intimal hy perplasia after laser welding than after suturing. There was, however, no significant difference when comparing occurrence of thrombosis, pa tency rate, or growth of the anastomosis in growing animals. Neither o ur study nor a review of the literature on laser-assisted vascular ana stomosis in microvessels and large arteries up to 5 mm diameter could establish a definite clinical application for laser welding in vascula r anastomosis.