Vascular diameter determining the magnification for a microvascular anastomosis

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between vascular diameters and amount of magnification and to assess the influence of the magnification media on the microanastomosis quality and permeability. Sixty arterial microanostomoses were distributed into three groups: group I (diameter 1.5 mm), group II (1.5 to 2.5 mm), and group III (> 2.5 mm). The models used were carotid artery of Sprague-Dawley rats and carotid and abdominal artery of wild rabbits. In each group, 10 anastomoses were performed with 2.5 x loupes and 10 with 10 x microscope. The total time of anastomosis, the quality of the anastomosis (Gorman scale), and 24-hour permeability rate were measured. The total anastomotic time and quality had statistical differences for the microscope by analyzing the total sample and group I only. The global permeability was 83% for the microscope and 40% for the loupe. The same result was observed in group I but no differences were observed in the other groups. The histology and the survey showed similar results. Microanastomoses performed under a microscope (10 x) were performed in less time, were of better quality, and had higher permeability rates when compared with those performed under a loupe (2.5 x). In vessels < 1.5 mm, these differences were statistically significant but in vessels > 1.5 mm no differences were observed.