A New Microvascular Anastomosis Technique Using Muscle Graft

A novel microvascular anastomosis technique is described. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups before undergoing femoral artery anastomosis. The first group received standard eight-suture anastomotic repair. Group 2 (muscle group) received three sutures plus autogenous muscle graft wrapped around the anastomosis. In group 3 (fascial surface group), a muscle graft was wrapped around the anastomosis with the fascial side of the graft facing the anastomosis. Significantly less time and suture usage were noted using both fascial surface and muscle groups compared with controls (p < 0.05). No significant difference regarding patency rates or aneurysm formation existed among the three groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, grade 2 anastomotic leakage was less frequent in the study groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). This new microvascular anastomosis technique took less time and achieved better performance than standard anastomotic repair.