The Martin Titanline arterial clamp. A new lightweight alternative

When haemostatic clamps are applied, evidence of injury at the site of clamp application may be seen when the clamp is removed. Rarely, the intima may be disrupted. When a new arterial clamp became available, a study was designed to compare the Martin Titanline arterial clamp (13-143-35, curved arterial clamp) with several other arterial clamps already in use. The Martin clamp is a modified pivot-point, preset-tension, spring-controlled arterial clamp. The closing pressures of several clamps were measured objectively. The injury produced when the clamps were applied to occlude the blood flow on the carotid artery of a dog was assessed by histological study of the excised segments of the arterial wall. Histological cross-sections were prepared from canine carotid artery which had been perfused for 1 h after the clamp had been applied for 1 h. Histological evidence of injury was limited to disruption of the intimal layer and compression of the medial layer. No significant difference between the amount of damage caused by the DeBakey, Satinsky or Martin clamp was identified. When compared to the other varieties of clamp listed above, the Martin clamp had a significantly lower closing pressure (304 g) compared with 580g (Bulldog), 580 g (Satinsky), and 686 g (DeBakey). The Martin clamp was easier to apply, did not obstruct the operative field as readily and had good clamp-retention characteristics throughout the procedure.