Study on microvascular anastomosis of arteries with absorbable polyglyconate suture.

A synthetic, monofilament, slowly absorbing suture material, polyglyconate suture was tested to determine its suitability for use in microarterial anastomoses under ordinary tension and under undue tension. Microvascular repair of 34 rat femoral arteries averaging 0.63 mm in diameter using 8-0 polyglyconate suture on an atraumatic needle gave an immediate patency rate of 100% and a late patency rate of 94.1% after 1 to 24 weeks. Microanastomoses of 30 rabbit femoral arteries averaging 1.43 mm in diameter using 8-0 polyglyconate suture on an atraumatic needle gave an immediate patency rate of 100% and a late patency rate of 96.7% when a vessel segment of 3 to 7 mm was resected. Morphological studies included light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that polyglyconate suture retains tensile strength for an adequate period to allow vascular healing and causes a less pronounced tissue response than nonabsorbable nylon suture. Complete absorption of the suture material was followed by a complete regeneration of the vessel wall. These results demonstrated that absorbable polyglyconate suture might be suitable for microvascular anastomosis of arteries under ordinary tension and under tension to a certain degree.