Microvascular Anastomosis of Rabbit's Jugular Vein with Titanium Clip / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We compared the results of micovascular anastomoses using a titanium clip and a conventional suture method to determine the possibility of clinical applying titanium clips for the anastomosis of small vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 15 New Zealand white rabbits, jugular veins on both sides were cross-sectioned. One side was repaired with a titanium clip and the other with 10-0 nylon sutures. Macroscopic and microscopic results of anastomoses were evaluated. RESULTS: All of the anastomsed vessels were patent at postoperative 1 day, 1 week and 1, 2 and 3 months. The time required for vessel repair was 16.0 minutes for suture repair and 8.9 minutes for clips. Microscopic evaluation revealed that the titanium clips didn't penetrate the intima of the vein. Foreign body reaction was less at the clipped anastomoses sites than at those with suture repair. CONCLUSION: Microvascular anastomosis can be performed more rapidly with titanium clips than conventional suture repair in operations of major limb replantation or free flap surgery where ischemic time is critical. This device minimizes intimal injury and foreign body reaction, and could reduce the failure rate after microvascular anastomosis.

Rapid Neurorrhaphy with Titanium Clips / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of titanium clips applied for the repair of transected peripheral nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of neurorrhaphy using a titanium clip (VCS) was compared with the conventional technique of neurorrhaphy with a nylon suture. In fifteen New Zealand white rabbits, transected sciatic nerves were repaired with VCS clips on one side and interrupted 9-0 nylon suture on the other. RESULTS: The time required for the neurorrhaphy was 14.9+/-3.55 minutes for suture closure and 8.7+/-2.6 minutes for clip closure (p<0.01). Electromyographic studies were performed at 1, 2 and 3 months after the initial operations. No significant differences in the amplitudes of the complex motor action potentials were noted between the groups. In the microscopic study, no significant differences in the numbers and the extents of myelinization of the regenerated axons of both methods of nerorrhaphy were evident. CONCLUSION: The titanium clip that was initially designed for microvascular anastomosis can be applied successfully for the microscopic neurorrhaphy of the peripheral nerve. Microscopic neurorrhaphy with titanium clips can be performed more rapidly than conventional suture repair.