A review of vascular anastomosis with mechanical aids and nonsuture techniques

First clinical applications for the NIR-II imaging with ICG in microsurgery

In microsurgery, it is always difficult to accurately identify the blood supply with ease, such as vascular anastomosis, digit replantation, skin avulsion reconstruction and flap transplantation. Near-infrared window I (NIR-I, 700—900 nm) imaging has many clinical applications, whereas near-infrared window II (NIR-II, 1,000–1700 nm) imaging has emerged as a highly promising novel optical imaging modality and used in a few clinical fields recently, especially its penetration distance and noninvasive characteristics coincide with the needs of microsurgery. Therefore, a portable NIR-II imaging instrument and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indocyanine green (ICG) were used to improve the operation efficiency in microsurgery of 39 patients in this study. The anastomotic vessels and the salvaged distal limbs were clearly visualized after intravenous injection of ICG. The technique enabled identification of perforator vessels and estimation of perforator areas prior to the flap obtention and made it easier to monitor the prognosis. Overall, this study highlights the use of the portable NIR- II imaging with ICG as an operative evaluation tool can enhance the safety and accuracy of microsurgery.

Microvascular anastomotic arterial coupling: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

There are several reasons microsurgeons may not use a coupler device in arterial anastomosis: may be thick-walled, non-pliable due to atherosclerotic calcification or present vessel geometrical discrepancies. This review summarises the current applications, efficacy and troubleshooting of microvascular coupler devices in arterial end-to-end anastomosis.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed in November 2020 across 4 electronic databases and in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. All studies comprised the data synthesis that reported the use of a microvascular coupler device for arterial end-to-end anastomosis. Data were extracted and collected in three groups of standardised variables: study, anastomosis-related and technical characteristics.

RESULTS

Out of the 7,690 articles identified, 20 were included in the final data synthesis. Included studies involved a total of 1639 patients, who underwent 670 arterial and 1,124 venous anastomoses. Out of all arterial anastomoses, 351 were performed in free tissue transfers in head and neck, 117 in breast, 4 in upper extremity and 5 in lower extremity reconstruction, whereas the remaining were not specified. The total arterial coupler anastomosis success rate reported was 92.1% (617/670). Fifty-three (8%) arterial anastomoses were reported to result in either troubleshooting events or intra- or post-operative failures, most being reported in extremity reconstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial coupling is not widespread with predominant use in head and neck and chest reconstructions, and total reported efficacy of 92.1%. Microsurgeons are reluctant to routinely use current widespread coupler devices as a result of inherent arterial characteristics. This study delivered collective recommendations, 'do's and don'ts' of microvascular arterial coupling.

Microvascular coupler device versus hand-sewn venous anastomosis: A systematic review of the literature and data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Successful vascular anastomosis is essential for the survival of free tissue transfer. The aim of the study is to review the current literature and perform a meta-analysis to assess the potential advantages of a mechanical anastomosis coupler device (MACD) over the hand-sewn (HS) technique for venous anastomoses.

METHODS

A systematic Medline search was performed to gather all reports of articles related to MACD from 1984 until now. The following data were extracted: first author and publication date, study design, number of patients and anastomosis, coupler size, site and type of reconstruction, venous anastomotic time, flap failure. A meta-analysis was performed on articles that met the following inclusion criteria: studies comparing MACD and HS technique in venous anastomosis, reporting anastomotic time, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included for the analysis. Twenty-four were retrospective case series and nine were retrospective comparative studies. A total of 12,304 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 49.23 years (range 31-72). A total of 13,669 flaps were accomplished. The thrombosis rate recorded with MACD was 1.47%. The meta-analysis revealed that MACD significantly decreased anastomotic time (standard difference in means = -0.395 ± 0.105; Z = -3.776; p < .001) and postoperative flap failure risk (odds ratio [OR] = 0.362, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.218-0.603, Z = -3.908, p < .001), but it did not decrease postoperative venous thrombosis risk (OR = 0.504, 95% CI = 0.255-1.129, Z = -1.666, p = .096).

CONCLUSIONS

MACDs are a safe and effective alternative to traditional anastomosis. The anastomotic coupler is easier, much faster, and requires less technical skills than a HS microvascular anastomosis.

Vascular grafts

Autogenous vein is the conduit of choice in the surgical creation of bypasses of small-to-medium-caliber vessels in patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease and will remain so for the near future. The success rate of bypasses using conduits of diameters greater than 6 mm has been excellent, whereas the majority of bypasses using smaller conduits fail within 5 years. In addition, due to a steep increase in rates of diabetes and decreasing cardiovascular mortality rates, increasing challenges are presented by this population. These facts have motivated much of the research in the cardiovascular arena over the past four decades, with improved techniques and new materials. Strategies to improve outcomes include the use of alternative materials including autologous, nonautologous and prosthetic grafts, utilizing different methods for their harvesting and preservation; tissue engineering, using either polymer- or biological-based scaffolds for cell seeding; endovascular methodologies; and gene therapy. This report presents an overview of the several options currently available in the management of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, as well as the ongoing research directed towards the creation of an artificial engineered vessel, discussing experimental work in which endothelial cells have been seeded on different scaffolds and finally the potential application of gene therapy in the field of vascular reconstruction.

Microvascular sutureless adhesive bonding anastomosis with a new soluble hollow stent

The aim of this study was to assess a new soluble hollow stent used in an experimental sutureless adhesive bonding technique for microvascular anastomosis. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 2 groups. Twelve end-to-end anastomoses of carotid arteries were performed with glue and stent in group A. In control group B, 12 anastomoses were performed by manual suturing. Anastomoses were timed; immediate and late patency at 1 day, 7 days, and 3 weeks after surgery were evaluated by ultrasonography. Specimens were then analyzed histologically. This adhesive bonding technique took 7.02 ± 1.26 minutes to perform while the hand-sewn technique took 15.48 ± 2.10 minutes. Immediate and late patencies of the 2 groups were not statistically different. The new technique using glue and stent appeared to be timesaving, feasible, and efficient.

Sutureless primary repair of colonic perforation with a degradable stent in a porcine model of fecal peritonitis

PURPOSE

Colonic perforation with fecal peritonitis is a life-threatening clinical condition. For these patients, a two-stage operation of fecal diversion and a postponed colostomy closure is generally recommended. Accordingly, a simple and feasible primary repair technique was explored.

METHODS

A sutureless banding method using a biodegradable stent and a porcine model of artificial colonic perforation were introduced. The colonic perforation model was created successfully with an open procedure in 34 pigs. The primary repair with a stent or the conventional hand-sewn control was performed 72 h later. Morbidity and mortality were recorded. Pigs in each group were also sacrificed to evaluate the healing on postoperative days (PODs) 3, 7, 14, and 90. The peripheral white blood cell counts, albumin, anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline contents, and histology data were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 17 pigs in either group. Four pigs (23.5 %) of the control group died, but no mortality occurred in the stent group. There were no significant differences in white blood cell counts and albumin. Though anastomotic hydroxyproline contents between the two groups were comparable, the collagen per protein ratio on POD 14 in the stent group was higher, as well as the bursting pressure on PODs 3 and 7. Microscopically, the local inflammation of the cut edges in the control group was more severe, and the collagen synthesis started later.

CONCLUSIONS

A sutureless primary repair of a colonic perforation with a degradable stent is a feasible method in a porcine model of fecal peritonitis.

REPAIR OF AN ALARMING INTRAOPERATIVE INTRACAVERNOUS CAROTID ARTERY TEAR WITH ANASTOCLIPS: TECHNICAL CASE REPORT

OBJECTIVE

Surgical treatment of an intracavernous carotid aneurysm (ICCA) is difficult because of the close relationship to bone, dura, and neurovascular structures. Intraoperative rupture of an ICCA is challenging, especially if the site of rupture is at the base of the aneurysm. We present a case of intraoperative rupture of an ICCA caused by clinoidectomy. We repaired it by using a single-clamp applicator (AnastoClip Vessel Closure System, 1.4 mm; LeMaitre Vascular, Burlington, MA).

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

In April 2007, a 40-year-old woman underwent neurosurgical treatment at another institution for a ruptured basilar bifurcation aneurysm, with good recovery. Digital subtraction angiography performed at this time showed the presence of left internal carotid artery aneurysms, 1 at the anterior wall of the paraclinoidal segment and 1 at the lateral wall of the intracavernous segment. In February 2008, the patient was referred from outside Finland to our department for microsurgical treatment of both aneurysms.

TECHNIQUE

A lateral supraorbital approach was used, and during extradural removal of the anterior clinoid with a rongeur, the ICCA ruptured. The base of the intracavernous aneurysm was involved in the rupture, and we used a single-clamp applicator to repair the internal carotid artery. Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography, indocyanine green video angiography, and Doppler ultrasonography showed a good flow in the artery. The paraclinoid aneurysm was uneventfully clipped during the same intervention.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative rupture of ICCA was repaired quickly and effectively by using a single-clamp applicator. Our case and experimental data from other microsurgical vascular experiences suggest that the future of intracranial vessel repair/anastomoses will be using microclips and other simpler devices more, allowing the neurosurgeon to perform fast and effective vessel repair.

Experimental models in microsurgery

The development of experimental microsurgery can be considered the natural evolution of a diffuse need to increase precision in many fields of surgery. Microsurgery accelerated the possibility of deepening many unclear aspects of pathophysiology, using miniaturized and reproducible experimental models. We report briefly on the fundamental principles of microsurgery and the most frequently performed and useful models of experimental microsurgery, especially to employ as training models for surgeons, but also as bases for developing new and always-welcome models.