EXPERIMENTAL MICROVENOUS THROMBOSIS FOLLOWING ANASTOMOSIS WITH A KNOTTED SUTURE

An experimental model for producing venous thrombosis was developed in end-to-end anastomoses of femoral veins in rats. The anastomoses were performed using a suture (9-0 suture-70 mu m needle) with a knot 1 cm from the needle. The knot was formed by making either six or eight ha lf-hitches in one throw of the suture. Vessel patency was assessed thr ough the direct ''milking test'' at 20 min and 24 hrs. The incidence o f thrombosis when using one knot with six half-hitches ranged from 20% to 40% and with eight half-hitches, from 50% to 70%. The incidence of femoral vein thrombosis varied directly with the presence and size of the knot, In this model, thrombosis was induced by exaggerating vesse l injuries that may occur when performing routine microvascular anasto moses. This study demonstrates a reproducible thrombogenic model which mimics clinical practice and may be used to study the effects of loca l and systemic antithrombogenic agents. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.