Cuffing techniques in microarterial surgery

Four-stitch microarterial anastomoses reinforced with cuffs of artery, vein, or polyglycolic acid tubing were compared to standard eight-stitch repairs in the femoral arteries of 40 immature rats. The cuffing technique reduced the average repair time by 50% without compromising short- or long-term patency. Restricted vessel growth or anastomotic stenosis did not result from the presence of any of the cuffing materials. Polyglycolic acid tubing performed as well as autogenous cuffs. The cuffing technique helps minimize trauma to the vessel wall by reducing the number of sutures, and its application could significantly decrease the duration of ischemia in multiple digit replantations.