New microvascular anastomotic device for end-to-side anastomosis using negative pressure; a preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Innovation
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Negative pressure has been successfully applied to end-to-end anastomosis.
• End-to-side anastomosis is a common and critical surgical procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a negative pressure device for end-to-side microvascular anastomosis.
• To assess the feasibility and patency of negative pressure-assisted end-to-side anastomosis in an animal model.

Main Methods:

• A novel negative pressure device was fabricated using laser lithography and 3D printing.
• End-to-side anastomosis between the superficial epigastric vein and femoral vein was performed in nine rats.
• Patency was assessed macroscopically and microscopically at immediate post-procedure and one-week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Eight out of nine anastomoses were patent immediately after the procedure.
• Two out of nine anastomoses remained patent at the one-week follow-up.
• Vessel dislocation due to clamp loosening was identified as a cause of failure.

Conclusions:

• Negative pressure can be applied to facilitate end-to-side microvascular anastomosis.
• The current device design requires further refinement to improve patency rates.
• This technology holds potential for semi-automated vascular reconstructions.