New four-stitch sleeve anastomosis: an experimental study in rats with reports of clinical use

A new technique for microvascular four-stitch sleeve anastomosis of arteries is described. Modifications from previously described techniques include absence of suture material within the arterial lumen, and a decreased proximal to distal artery overlap. In 40 rat arterial anastomoses, 100% patency without evidence of stenosis or early aneurysm formation was seen up to 6 weeks postoperatively by in vivo observation, arteriography and Doppler flow study. This new anastomosis was also successful in repairing two clinical cases of complete radial artery transection as evident from physical examination and doppler flow study. We believe that this new four-stitch sleeve anastomosis is faster and easier to perform and has patency and flow characteristics similar to those of the conventional end-to-end anastomosis.