Microvascular anastomosis using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate in the rat femoral artery

Patency of the microvascular anastomosis is the most important requirement for tissue survival in free tissue transfer and in replantation. In efforts to improve on the standard suture method of microvascular anastomosis, new techniques such as limited-suture sleeve anastomoses and histoacryl glue a nastomoses have been employed experimentally. However, as a result of facto rs such as tissue toxicity and suboptimal outcome, cyanoacrylates have not enjoyed clinical use. In addition, sleeve anastomoses continue to utilize s uture, increasing the risks of intimal damage, platelet adhesion, and throm bosis. In an attempt to surmount these problems, the authors investigated t he use of a new P-octyl cyanoacrylate glue and a sutureless sleeve anastomo sis. Anastomosis of 20 rat femoral arteries with a sutureless sleeve techni que bonded with glue resulted in an 80% patency rate at 1 day to 3 weeks. F ailures occurred in the first few attempts as the technique was evolving. T hese encouraging results suggest that 2-octyl cyanoacrylate may have applic ability in quick, sutureless microvascular anastomoses.