Vascular Anastomoses in Growing Vessels: The Use of Absorbable Sutures

John Myers, John A. Waldhausen, Walter Pae, Arthur B. Abt, G. Allen Prophet, William S. Pierce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Primary end-to-end infrarenal aortic anastomoses were performed in 36 piglets using two synthetic absorbable suture materials: polydioxanone and coated polyglactin. Animals were killed at 1, 4, and 11 weeks and 6 months following operation. Each aorta was removed, burst-tested to 300 mm Hg, radiographed, and examined histologically. All anastomoses were patent, and no burst-test failures occurred. Stenosis occurred in 14 of 17 animals at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively. One of 5 animals exhibited stenosis at 11 weeks, and none of the 14 animals had stenosis 6 months postoperatively. Histological examination revealed fibrosis replacing areas of disrupted elastica at 6 months in both suture groups. This study suggests that absorbable suture material, in particular polydioxanone, because of its excellent handling characteristics and prolonged tensile strength retention, will be useful for the repair of vascular and cardiac anomalies where growth of the suture line is required.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)529-537
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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