Arterial wall compliance after diode laser assisted microanastomosis: A comparative study with conventional manual microanastomosis on the rabbit femoral artery

Microvascular anastomosis compliance mismatch is a predictive factor for an astomosis patency rate. We compared the arterial wall compliance of manual and laser-assisted vascular micro-anastomosis. Twelve New Zealand white rab bits were operated with conventional manual microanastomosis (CMMA) on the left femoral artery (10-0 separated stitches) and laser-assisted microanast omosis (LAMA) on the right (diode laser, wavelength 988 nm, power output 50 0 mW). Diameter and compliance were immediately measured by echotracking wi th 20 MHz microprobes, on the anastomosis level, as well as 3 mm upstream a nd 3 mm downstream from the anastomosis. On the LAMB side, diameter decreas ed downstream from the anastomosis (from 1.94 +/- 0.41 to 1.65 +/- 0.21 mm; p=0.012), while compliance increased upstream from the anastomosis (from 0 .0034 +/- 0.001 to 0.0042 +/- 0.0012 mm/mm Hg; p=0.0195). There were no sig nificant diameter or compliance change on the CMMA side (p<0.05). It was co ncluded that diode LAMA creates a transition site at the anastomosis level, increasing compliance mismatch.