Side-to-side arterial anastomosis model in the rat internal and external carotid arteries

Microvascular anastomosis has become a general and essential technique in t he field of vascular reconstructive surgery. Side-to-side microvascular ana stomosis is rarely performed by microsurgeons. Laboratory training models a re essential for the development and refinement of microsurgical techniques . A new experimental model of a side-to-side "arterial" anastomosis in the rat internal and external carotid arteries is presented, in which 100 perce nt patency was accomplished immediately, and was maintained 7 days after an astomosis. This model can provide an experimental and training tool for sid e-to-side anastomosis of small arteries.