Microvascular anastomoses. An evaluation of laser-assisted technique.

The carbon dioxide milliwatt laser was used to perform microvascular anastomoses in 23 rat femoral arteries and 21 femoral veins. This technique was compared with conventionally sutured controls and then evaluated histologically at intervals of three to four days and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Patency rates in both methods, for arteries and veins, were comparable, confirming the feasibility of laser-assisted microvascular anastomoses. Moreover, the major benefit of the laser procedure was to allow for fewer sutures, thereby diminishing a foreign body reaction.