RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: When performing vascular reconstruction in growing elements, specifically in paediatric transplant surgery, where a short vascular occlusion time is mandatory, master and easily handled suturing methods are needed. Thus the present study compares conventional continuous suturing with polypropylene and dexon versus easier and faster to apply titanium clips in heterotopic renal autotransplants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 growing pigs were used for this study. Heterotopic renal autotransplant was performed when the animals were 45-days-old using VCS clips, continous Polypropylene or Dexon suturing when anastomosing the renal artery and vein to the aorta and cava in an end-to-side fashion RESULTS: VCS clips were easy to use for the surgeon, significantly (P < or = 0.001) decreasing the time needed for end-to-side anastomosis of the renal artery to the aorta (clips, 5.31 +/- 0.80 min/Polypropylene, 14.25 +/- 2.25 min/Dexon, 14.37 +/- 2.97 min); and also the time needed for end-to-side anastomosis of the renal veins to the cava (clips, 8.25 +/- 1.98 min/Polypropylene, 16.25 +/- 2.96 min/Dexon, 19.00 +/- 4.50 min). CONCLUSIONS: The use of VCS clips in heterotopic renal autotransplants significantly decreases the time needed for vascular reconstruction, compared to conventional suturing.
