The development of mechanical strength of surgically anastomosed arteries sutured with Dexon

The strength of surgically anastomosed arteries of the rat sutured with Dexon thread is studied. The abdominal aortas and the carotid arteries were severed, sutured and then the wounds were closed and the animal healed. After a specific period of time up to 13 months, the vessels were taken out and tested in uniaxial loading condition. The stress-strain relationship of the vessels was measured, and then the vessels were pulled to failure. It was found that the strength of the anastomosis was the lowest in about 4 months. In the first day, the force at failure was about the same as that of the control. Then the strength decreased with time, until a minimum was reached in 4-6 months. The tensile force to failure was about 25% of the control for the carotid artery and 49% of the control for the abdominal aorta. The corresponding values of the tensile stress at failure were 17 and 11%, respectively. The different percentages of forces and stresses were caused by the thickening of the vessel wall in the neighborhood of the suture line in the healing process. After 4-6 months, the strength gained again. At 13 months, the strength of the anastomosis was about the same as that of the control. The stretch ratio at failure was approximately constant through all periods.