Bursting strength of the rat aorta: comparison of suture and laser anastomoses

The bursting strength of sutured and laser-welded vascular anastomoses were assessed in a rat aorta model. Postoperative investigations included postmortems, light and scanning electron microscopy and measurements of bursting strength at set intervals (30 min, 3, 14 and 28 days postoperatively, p.o.). Laser-bonded anastomoses consistently demonstrated lower bursting strengths than suture controls, with statistically significant differences at 30 min and 3 days p.o. (p less than 0.01). Laser anastomosis was easier and faster to perform, the foreign body reaction was markedly lower than in sutured controls. Formation of aneurysms was not observed.