A NEW URETERAL ANASTOMOTIC DEVICE - THE UNILINK SYSTEM - A PILOT-STUDY USING THE PORCINE MODEL

OBJECTIVE: Ureteral injury is a complication of gynecologic surgery in approximately 1% of all cases. The anatomic site of the injury determ ines the type of operative repair. When an end-to-end ureteral anastom osis is required, interrupted sutures are usually used. A prospective, randomized animal study was performed to determine the efficacy of a new microvascular anastomotic device, the Unilink system, in repairing transected ureters. STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen pigs underwent randomized anastomosis with the Unilink system on one side and traditional anasto mosis with suture on the contralateral side. A postoperative intraveno us pyelogram was performed immediately and 2 weeks later, before the a nastomotic site at a second laparotomy was harvested. Patency rates fo r each type of anastomosis were compared microscopically, and the degr ee of hydronephrosis was compared grossly and radiographically. RESULT S AND CONCLUSION: The anastomotic repair with the Unilink system did n ot significantly differ structurally or functionally from traditional suture repair.