Modified method for microvascular anastomosis suturing

BACKGROUND: Suturing of microvascular anastomosis is still a time-consuming procedure, despite the fact that different techniques and devices were designed to reduce the operation time and increase the patency rate. This paper reports a method for microvascular anastomosis suturing, using foam rubber cylindrical mandrel, which helps to solve the above-stated problems. METHODS: The principle of method is based on running suture, imposed around the foam rubber mandrel. Then the suture is divided into separate stitches. After the visual control of anastomosis lumen knots are tightened. The procedure is the same for front and back parts of anastomosis. RESULTS: Testing of technique in the laboratory showed the possibility of using a single thread per anastomosis and reducing the time for suturing from 17.3 to 15.4 min compared with standard procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Described technique allows surgeon to control the lumen of anastomosis before tightening knots, reduces time of work, and does not increase the cost of operation.