MICROVASCULAR ANASTOMOSES - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF FIBRINOGEN ADHESIVE AND INTERRUPTED SUTURE TECHNIQUES

A modified sleeve technique was developed for making microsurgical ana stomoses using a commercially produced fibrinogen adhesive called Tiss eel. A controlled study was then carried out to compare the new fibrin ogen adhesive anastomoses with conventional suture anastomoses in a bi lateral groin flap model using 50 consecutive rabbits. Statistical ana lysis of the results indicated that flap survival rate and vascular pa tency rate were comparable for the two techniques. The fibrinogen adhe sive anastomoses took less time to complete and, subjectively, were le ss difficult technically. The suture anastomoses were more versatile. Histologic studies revealed that the adhesive did not flow through the sleeve into the lumen, and that, although there was a brief inflammat ory response associated with healing, this inflammation was very local ized and did not involve the inner layers of the vessel wall or lumen. It was concluded that the new technique was a useful addition to tech niques already.