In vivo evaluation of nylon suture material by the scanning electron microscope.

Sixty common carotid arteries in rats were divided and anastomosed with four needles that differed in suture to needle diameter ratios. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the suture revealed endothelial bridges with associated fibrin, platelets and leukocytes arising from needle holes to adhere to the sutures within two hours of anastomosis. These earliest reported observations of suture endothelialization merit further investigation regarding the possibility of an arterial thrombosis occurring after suture.