Arterial repair with synthetic patch by using titanium clips

Background: Vascular closure staple (VCS) clips made of titanium were origi nally developed for microvascular anastomases, There is limited experience with their applicability to vascular reconstruction in larger vessels. This study compares VCS clips to standard sutures in arterial repair using a sy nthetic patch. Methods: In an experimental study with pigs, tno sequential 10-mm abdominal aortotomies were allocated randomly to synthetic patch (polytetrafluoroeth ylene) repair with VCS clips or continuous 6-0 polypropylene sutures, Angio graphic, macroscopic, and microscopic results were assessed after 2 months. Results: There mere no significant differences in the patency rate, vessel diameter at the repair site, or healing indices. The mean (SD) clamp time w as 8.7 (3.0) minutes for clip repair and 14.3 (7.4) minutes for suture repa ir (p = 0.04), and the times required for the vessel reconstruction were 5. 3 (1.3) and 9.3 (3.0) minutes, respectively (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Patched arterial repair with VCS dips is faster than sutured re construction with comparable results after 2 months of follow up.