Multiple telescoping anastomosis on an artery

The telescoping anastomotic technique was carried out four times on the rat femoral artery in order to examine whether the technique could safely be u sed three to four times for repair of an artery that was injured at two dif ferent sites. In addition, the technique was repeated five and six times to determine the maximum number of anastomosis that could be performed on an artery and to clarify problems of the telescopjng anastomosis. In the rats in which the anastomosis was carried out four and five times, 100% patency was obtained, while the first occlusion occurred in a graft on which the an astomosis was repeated six times. The telescoping technique appeared to saf ely be used three or four times fdr repair of an artery that had been divid ed at two sites if tension of the repaired vessel was kept low by the graft ing, and torsion of the graft and deformities of the inserted vessel were m inimal. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.