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Ribaudo JG, He K, Madira S, Young ER, Martin C, Lu T, Sacks JM, Li X. Sutureless vascular anastomotic approaches and their potential impacts. Bioact Mater 2024; 38:73-94. [PMID: 38699240 PMCID: PMC11061647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sutureless anastomotic devices present several advantages over traditional suture anastomosis, including expanded global access to microvascular surgery, shorter operation and ischemic times, and reduced costs. However, their adaptation for arterial use remains a challenge. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of sutureless anastomotic approaches that are either FDA-approved or under investigation. These approaches include extraluminal couplers, intraluminal devices, and methods assisted by lasers or vacuums, with a particular emphasis on tissue adhesives. We analyze these devices for artery compatibility, material composition, potential for intimal damage, risks of thrombosis and restenosis, and complications arising from their deployment and maintenance. Additionally, we discuss the challenges faced in the development and clinical application of sutureless anastomotic techniques. Ideally, a sutureless anastomotic device or technique should eliminate the need for vessel eversion, mitigate thrombosis through either biodegradation or the release of antithrombotic drugs, and be easily deployable for broad use. The transformative potential of sutureless anastomotic approaches in microvascular surgery highlights the necessity for ongoing innovation to expand their applications and maximize their benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Ribaudo
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kevin He
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sarah Madira
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Emma R. Young
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Cameron Martin
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Tingying Lu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Justin M. Sacks
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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Azapagic A, Agarwal J, Gale B, Li H, Nelson S, Shea J, Sant H. A Novel Vascular Anastomotic Coupling Device for End-to-End Anastomosis of Arteries and Veins. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:542-552. [PMID: 37639422 PMCID: PMC10846801 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3308890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hand-sutured (HS) techniques remain the gold standard for most microvascular anastomoses in microsurgery. HS techniques can result in endothelial lacerations and back wall suturing, leading to complications such as thrombosis and free tissue loss. A novel force-interference-fit vascular coupling device (FIF-VCD) system can potentially reduce the need for HS and improve end-to-end anastomosis. This study aims to describe the development and testing of a novel FIF-VCD system for 1.5 to 4.0 mm outside diameter arteries and veins. METHODS Benchtop anastomoses were performed using porcine cadaver arteries and veins. Decoupling force and anastomotic leakage were tested under simulated worst-case intravital physiological conditions. The 1.5 mm FIF-VCD system was used to perform cadaver rat abdominal aorta anastomoses. RESULTS Benchtop testing showed that the vessels coupled with the FIF-VCD system could withstand simulated worst-case intravital physiological conditions with a 95% confidence interval for the average decoupling force safety factor of 8.2 ± 1.0 (5.2 ± 1.0 N) and a 95% confidence interval for the average leakage rate safety factor of 26 ± 3.6 (8.4 ± 0.14 and 95 ± 1.4 μL/s at 150 and 360 mmHg, respectively) when compared to HS anastomotic leakage rates (310 ± 14 and 2,100 ± 72 μL/s at 150 and 360 mmHg, respectively). The FIF-VCD system was successful in performing cadaver rat abdominal aorta anastomoses. CONCLUSION The FIF-VCD system can potentially replace HS in microsurgery, allowing the safe and effective connection of arteries and veins. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical viability and effectiveness of the FIF-VCD system.
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Compression of the vascular wall to create a friction fit in a vascular anastomotic coupler. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 123:104681. [PMID: 34362677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A previously reported microvascular coupler was shown to effectively create vascular anastomoses, but was too large for practical clinical use. To safely reduce coupler size, certain failure modes needed to be better understood. The coupler functions, in part, by compressing the vessel wall between two concentric rings, creating a friction fit that anchors the device to the vessel. This work investigates the relationship between vessel wall compression and resulting friction fit strength to ensure reducing coupler size will not unduly increase the risk that this friction fit might fail. Vascular walls were compressed to a specified strain and the tensile force required to overcome the resulting friction was measured. Experiments were conducted with various vessel types (Porcine common carotid artery, splenic artery, and jugular vein), across a range of compressive strains (55-95%), and by using either PEEK or HDPE to compress the vessel. Tensile force was increased at a rate of 5 g/min or held constant for 24 h. For experiments with incrementally increasing force, the force at failure varied with compressive strain via a power function. At 70% compression, PEEK produced 4.6 times stronger friction fits than HDPE, and common carotid arteries and splenic arteries produced 1.8 and 1.3 times stronger fits than jugular veins respectively. For experiments where tensile force was applied for 24 h, much lower forces were required to overcome friction. These results were compared to friction fit failure in a coupler prototype and it was found that the prototypes failed at just 30% of the force required to cause vessel slip under the other test conditions. These results were used to develop a model that predicts the probability of device failure via vessel slipping (one design, smaller than previously reported, was estimated to fail at maximum in vivo axial stress once in 500 anastomoses, a potentially safe level of risk).
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