The experimental comparison of absorbable and nonabsorbable suture materials in microvascular anastomosis done under tension

Abstract

In this experimental study, the macroscopic and histopathological features of microarterial anastomosis performed with absorbable and nonabsorbable suture materials on rat carotid arteries under increasing tension were evaluated. Right carotid arteries were exposed and resected to 1/6, 1/3 and 1/2 of their total lengths respectively and anastomosed end-to-end with absorbable (Vicryl 10.0) and nonabsorbable (Ethilon 10.0) suture materials using seven standardized Sprague-Dawley rats in each subgroup. In the control groups, all anastomoses were completed with the same suture materials using the same technique with no resection and without tension. Patency rates and histopathological findings were evaluated in the early postoperative period and one week postoperatively. The patency rate was 100% in the control groups. Anastomoses were occluded in the groups anastomosed under tension; this correlated with increasing tension. Subintimal hyperplasia was observed more commonly in the absorbable materials group than in the nonabsorbable group.