Comparison of bursting strength between suture- and laser-anastomosed vessels.

The bursting strength of suture- and laser-assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) was assessed using a standard rat femoral artery model. Vessels were studied from 1 hour to 3 weeks. LAVA arteries consistently demonstrated lower bursting strengths than those of suture controls, with significant differences at 1 day, 3 days (P less than 0.001), and 1 weeks (P less than 0.01). Return of strength occurred in a pattern reminiscent of wound-healing models. Relatively low bursting strengths at 1 and 3 days in the LAVA cohort may explain the high aneurysm rate reported to complicate this procedure.