Histopathology of microarterial anastomoses: end-to-end versus end-in-end (sleeve) technique

The healing process of microarterial anastomoses after two different techniques is described after an evaluation of 80 rabbit arterial anastomoses. The two techniques used were as follows: group I, conventional end-to-end technique; and group II, end-in-end (sleeve) technique. After operation the anastomoses were checked at 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The changes occurring at the tunica intima, tunica media, and adventitia were histologically evaluated and morphometric measurements were taken at the anastomotic site. Histologic evaluation of both techniques showed that the rabbits treated with the sleeve technique healed faster with less endothelial damage. The sleeve technique presented a different healing pattern but comparable long-term patency rates with the conventional end-to-end anastomosis technique.