Training model for the intraluminal continuous suturing technique for microvascular anastomosis

Microvascular anastomosis is a critical procedure in cerebral bypass surgeries. In some rare cases, the extraluminal interrupted technique is not optimal because the vessels are immobile and cannot be rotated, and anastomosis can be performed effectively through the intraluminal continuous suturing technique. The authors reported the application of the intraluminal continuous suturing technique in microanastomosis training with silicone tube, rat’s common iliac arteries and abdominal aorta. A silicone tube with a diameter of 1.5 mm was used to practice microanastomosis in intraluminal continuous suturing technique. Then the technique was applied in side-to-side, end-to-side anastomoses of common iliac arteries and the end-to-end abdominal aorta anastomoses of rat. The suturing time and patency rates were compared with an alternative intraluminal continuous suturing technique and one-way-up interrupted suturing technique in silicone tube and rat vessel anastomoses. The intraluminal continuous suturing technique could be gained through practicing with silicone tube, and the technique has also been demonstrated effective in side-to-side, end-to-side anastomoses of common iliac arteries of rat and the abdominal aorta end-to-end anastomoses. In all the animal experimental groups with different suturing techniques, there was no difference between the patency rates, all the immediate patency rate was 100%. There was no significant suturing time difference between the two intraluminal continuous suturing techniques, but the two intraluminal continuous suturing techniques were faster than the interrupted technique. The intraluminal continuous suturing technique described in the study could be used as an efficient method for side-to-side, end-to-side and end-to-end anastomosis, especially under the situation the posterior wall of the anastomosis could not be rotated. Proficiency of the technique could be achieved through practicing in laboratory with silicone tube and live animals.