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A new ureteral anastomotic device: the Unilink system. A pilot study using the porcine model
G L Maxwell1, L Maxwell, A P Soisson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920.
Objective:
Ureteral injury is a complication of gynecologic surgery in approximately 1% of all cases. The anatomic site of the injury determines the type of operative repair. When an end-to-end ureteral anastomosis is required, interrupted sutures are usually used. A prospective, randomized animal study was performed to determine the efficacy of a new microvascular anastomotic device, the Unilink system, in repairing transected ureters.
Study Design:
Nineteen pigs underwent randomized anastomosis with the Unilink system on one side and traditional anastomosis with suture on the contralateral side. A postoperative intravenous pyelogram was performed immediately and 2 weeks later, before the anastomotic site at a second laparotomy was harvested. Patency rates for each type of anastomosis were compared microscopically, and the degree of hydronephrosis was compared grossly and radiographically.
Results And Conclusion:
The anastomotic repair with the Unilink system did not significantly differ structurally or functionally from traditional suture repair.