Nonsuture end-to-end microvascular anastomosis using intravascular stents

The objective of this report is to describe a new method of nonsuture end-to-end microvascular anastomosis. The vessels to be anastomosed are prepared separately before division by inserting a cylinder-shaped intravascular stent into each vessel. The anastomosis is completed after dividing the vessels. The vessels containing the stents are approximated. The anastomosis is then performed by sliding the stents into each other and is kept together by the force of friction. The method was used for anastomosing the aorta, end to end, in seven rats. The rats survived for one to 25 days with a radiological patent aorta and a fibrous healing of the vessels. This method has a potential use for microvascular anastomosis.