Sutureless vascular anastomotic approaches and their potential impacts.

Sutureless anastomotic devices present several advantages over traditional suture anastomosis, including expanded global access to microvascular surgery, shorter operation and ischemic times, and reduced costs. However, their adaptation for arterial use remains a challenge. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of sutureless anastomotic approaches that are either FDA-approved or under investigation. These approaches include extraluminal couplers, intraluminal devices, and methods assisted by lasers or vacuums, with a particular emphasis on tissue adhesives. We analyze these devices for artery compatibility, material composition, potential for intimal damage, risks of thrombosis and restenosis, and complications arising from their deployment and maintenance. Additionally, we discuss the challenges faced in the development and clinical application of sutureless anastomotic techniques. Ideally, a sutureless anastomotic device or technique should eliminate the need for vessel eversion, mitigate thrombosis through either biodegradation or the release of antithrombotic drugs, and be easily deployable for broad use. The transformative potential of sutureless anastomotic approaches in microvascular surgery highlights the necessity for ongoing innovation to expand their applications and maximize their benefits.

A Case of Intraoperative Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection during Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 70-year-old woman diagnosed with angina pectoris was scheduled to undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) using the left internal thoracic artery and the saphenous vein (SVG). We performed a proximal anastomosis of the SVG to the ascending aorta using a clampless proximal anastomotic device. When this device was removed from the ascending aorta after completion of the SVG proximal anastomosis, we noticed the extensive appearance of an ascending aortic adventitial hematoma. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a flap in the ascending aorta, which was diagnosed as an iatrogenic aortic dissection. The decision was made to immediately perform an additional aortic replacement. There was an intimal tear consistent with the device insertion site, which was identified as the site for the development of aortic dissection. After performing an ascending aortic replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting was performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and enhanced CT on postoperative day 12 showed aortic dissection up to the level of the abdominal aorta, but the false lumen was completely thrombosed. Iatrogenic aortic dissection caused by proximal anastomotic device during OPCAB is a very rare but serious complication, and early intraoperative diagnosis and prompt additional surgical treatment were considered necessary to save the patient's life.

Sutureless versus Hand-Sewn Coronary Anastomoses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sutureless coronary anastomotic devices are intended to facilitate minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) by easing and eventually standardizing the anastomotic technique. Within this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to determine patency and to evaluate safety outcomes for the sutureless anastomoses. METHODS: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched from database start till August 2021 in a predefined search strategy combining the key concepts: 'coronary artery bypass grafting', 'sutureless coronary anastomoses', and 'hand-sewn coronary anastomoses' by the Boolean operation 'AND'. Study characteristics, patient demographics, interventional details, and all available outcome data were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed on patency at longest follow-up. Safety outcomes were presented. RESULTS: A total of eleven trials towards six sutureless anastomotic devices were included, comprising 3724 patients (490 sutureless and 3234 hand-sewn). There was no significant difference in patency at a mean follow-up duration of 546.3 (range 1.5-2691) days, with a risk ratio of 0.77 (95% CI 0.55-1.06). MACE was reported in 4.5% sutureless and 3.9% hand-sewn patients, including all-cause mortality (resp. 1.3 vs. 1.9%), myocardial infarction (resp. 1.6 vs. 1.7%), and coronary revascularization (resp. 1.8 vs. 0.5%). Incomplete hemostasis occurred in 24.8% of the sutureless anastomoses. Intra-operative device failure forced conversion to hand-sewn or redo-anastomosis in 5.8% of the sutureless cases. CONCLUSION: Based on the systematic review and meta-analysis including six devices, we conclude that sutureless coronary anastomotic devices appear safe and effective when used by well-trained and dedicated surgical teams.

Robotic off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass in the current era: report of 544 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Robotic off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) is the least invasive form of surgical coronary revascularization. It has proved to be highly effective and safe. Its benefits are well-established and include fewer complications, shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activities. TECAB has undergone 2 decades of technological advancement to include multivessel grafting, a beating-heart approach and successful completion in multiple patient groups in experienced hands. The aim of this report was to examine outcomes of robotic off-pump TECAB at our institution over 7 years. METHODS: Data from 544 patients undergoing TECAB between July 2013 and August 2020 were retrospectively examined. The C-Port Flex-A distal anastomotic device was used for the majority of grafts (70%). Yearly follow-up was conducted. Angiographic early patency data were reviewed for patients undergoing hybrid revascularization. RESULTS: The mean age was 66 years, with 1.7% mean STS risk. Fifty-six percentage had multivessel TECAB. There was 1 conversion to sternotomy, and 46% extubation in the Operating Room (OR). Mortality was 0.9%. Early graft patency was 97%. At mid-term follow-up at 38 months, cardiac mortality was 2.7% and freedom from major adverse cardiac events was 92.5%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that robotic beating-heart TECAB in the current era is safe and effective with excellent outcomes and comparable early angiographic patency to standard coronary artery bypass grafting surgery when performed frequently by an experienced team. This procedure was completed in our hands both with and without an anastomotic device. Longer-term studies are warranted.

A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of distal coronary artery anastomotic devices in MIDCAB and TECAB surgery.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) and totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) techniques may improve recovery and reduce hospital stay following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). However, working in a limited space with indirect visualisation would greatly benefit from a simple, high-quality and reproducible automated distal anastomotic method. Several devices have been developed; however, their uptake has been limited due to uncertainty around their impact on patient outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature identified six studies, incorporating 139 subjects undergoing MIDCAB or TECAB surgery using a distal anastomotic device. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 0.7% (1/137). No cardiac specific mortality was observed. For each outcome of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), postoperative stroke and haemorrhage, only a single event was observed for each (n=1/136, 1/138 and 1/136, respectively). The overall device failure rates were low, with the use of additional sutures only reported in a single case with the Magnetic Vascular Port (MVP) device. Anastomotic time ranged from a mean of 3.32 minutes with the MVP device to 20 minutes with the C-Port device. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the overall acceptable early outcomes of distal anastomotic devices for use in minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery. Future research should focus on designing adequately powered, comparative, randomised trials, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) outcomes in both the short and long-term, with clear case-by-case reasons for device failure and a comparison of anastomotic times. In this way, we may determine whether such devices will facilitate the minimal access and robotic coronary procedures of the future.

A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of distal coronary artery anastomotic devices.

Interest in minimally invasive and off-pump cardiac surgical techniques has promoted the development of automated distal anastomotic devices (DADs) to facilitate construction of coronary artery anastomosis. Several DADs have been proposed for potential use in coronary surgery. However, a number of technical failures and uncertainty around both short-term morbidity and long-term patency have limited the generalized uptake of these devices. A systematic literature search identified 28 studies, incorporating 970 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using a DAD. Eight different devices were identified including Heartflo, St Jude, U-clip, vessel closure system, C-port, magnetic vascular positioner and coronary anastomosis coupler. Thirty-day mortality, cardiac-specific mortality and myocardial infarction were equal between DADs and hand-sewn cases (1.3, 0.3 and 0.8%, respectively). The overall proportion of postoperative haemorrhage was higher in the anastomotic device group (2.3%) than in the group with hand-sewn anastomoses (1.5%) although not statistically significant. Overall graft patency was 97.2% at <1 month, 94.6% at 1-3 months and 92.3% at >3 months. Of the currently available systems, the U-clip device was found to provide the best overall postoperative outcomes, which included a patency of 96.1% at >3months. The current literature is limited by its predominantly observational study design and lack of directly comparative studies. Furthermore, inter-study variation in patient selection, anticoagulation strategies and follow-up periods prevents quantitative comparison. Future research necessitates multicentre randomized, controlled studies to provide a direct comparison of current and future anastomotic device systems with established hand-sewn techniques in both the short and long term.

Safety and efficacy of a side-to-side duodeno-ileal anastomosis for weight loss and type-2 diabetes: duodenal bipartition, a novel metabolic surgery procedure.

BACKGROUND: Partial bypass of the GI tract may promote weight loss by decreased absorption of nutrients and changes in incretins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing a side-to-side duodeno-ileal anastomosis. METHODS: Seven 40-50 kg female Yorkshire pigs were allocated to a duodeno-ileal anastomosis (DIA), and were compared to a control group (SHAM). Swine's weights were followed for 56 days. Gastroscopies were also performed at 28 days. Blood samples were also taken at regular intervals (CBC and Basic biochemistry profiles). At autopsy, gross changes and histological changes of the liver, duodenum and ileum samples were performed. RESULTS: While the SHAM group gained 33.2 % more weight at 56 days, the DIA group had shown a weight loss of -6.8 %, for a difference of 40.0 % between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). One pig developed an incisional hernia. Gastroscopies demonstrated normal healing without ulceration or inflammation at 28 days. Histological examination of the anastomosis at 56 days showed normal and smooth healing, with absence of liver toxicity. CONCLUSION: In this porcine model with short follow-up, a side-to-side duodeno-ileal anastomosis provided excellent weight loss without apparent nutritional or grossly aberrant histological changes.

Application of phleboplasties combined with microvascular anastomotic device in venous anastomosis with diameter discrepancy in head and neck defects reconstruction / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To assess the clinical application value of phleboplasties combined with microvascular anastomotic device in venous anastomosis with diameter discrepancy in head and neck defects reconstruction.Methods Sixty-six pairs of veins with significant diameter discrepancy were anastomosed in head and neck reconstructive surgeries with free flaps.Forty of them were anastomosed with microvascular anastomotic device (the coupler group) after phleboplasties including lateral incision, Y-T enlargement and wedge excision while the other 26 pairs of veins were conventionally sutured (the sutured group).Diameter of each vein, anastomosis time, post-operative vascular crisis, flap survival and complications related to the microvascular anastomotic device were recorded.Results The average anastomosis time of the coupler group was (4.78 ± 1.14) min for lateral incision, (5.16 ± 2.07) min for Y-T enlargement and (11.09 ± 3.21) min for wedge excision, and all of them were significantly shorter than that of the sutured group.In the sutured group, all flaps survived except for 2 veins with poor blood flow were cut and re-anastomosed during the operation;1 flap with venous crisis within 72 hours after the operations was explored and replaced with the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.All veins in the coupler group were successfully anastomosed in a single coupling procedure without anastomotic impatency, blood leak, vessel tearing and ring shedding.No vascular crisis occurred postoperatively.One patient underwent cervical haematoma 5 hours after the operation, and the flap blood supply was unaffected after the haematoma was removed.All flaps in the coupler group survived completely.Patients in both two groups were followed up 6 to 18 months.All flaps healed perfectly and no obvious surgical complications or microvascular anastomotic device rejection happened.Conclusion When anastomoses are carried out using microvascular anastomotic device between veins of different size, phleboplasties including lateral incision., Y-T enlargement and wedge excision can not only reduce the size discrepancy and the anastomosis time, but also ease the difficulty level and guarantee the patency of the venous anastomoses.Wedge excision enjoys the advantage of haemodynamics, and obstruction of venous reflux hardly occurred for size reduction.It should be considered preferentially when external jugular veins are used as the anastomotic vein of the recipient sites in head and neck reconstruction.

Vascular Remodeling with a Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System: A Case Report

Despite increased utilization of microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC) devices, the consequences have yet to be fully explored in terms of vascular regeneration. Removal of an exposed venous coupler is described herein, documenting normal circulatory flow through the remodeled site of application. A 25-year-old man who underwent open reduction and rigid fixation elsewhere for traumatic calcaneal fracture ultimately presented with a necrotic postoperative wound. The debrided defect was treated by free thigh perforator flap, incorporating a MAC device. Three months later, the flap remained viable, but the MAC itself was exposed. Structural integrity of the vessel and blood flow were sustained as the device was carefully removed, confirming true vascular remodeling in this example of MAC usage.

Magnetic connectors for coronary surgery: what do we know a decade later?

In 2001, a novel sutureless magnetic anastomotic device (MVP) for coronary anastomosis was introduced in Europe for both on-pump and off-pump procedures. The device has been implanted in more than 150 patients with encouraging short-term but less favorable mid-term results. However, to date long-term patency outcomes of those recipients have not been investigated. This is the first report on an excellent angiographic performance of this automated magnetic device ten years after left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending grafting in a man who underwent coronary angiography prior to thymectomy.

Systematic review: anastomotic microvascular device.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic microvascular device has gained popularity in reconstructive microsurgery over the last two decades. A systematic literature search has been carried out in the use of the venous coupler device in microsurgery to assess its impact on patency rate in microsurgery. METHOD: Using key words related to the topic, a literature search of major databases was carried out. Selection was undertaken on two level screening. From the literature search 53 potential articles were identified. Of these 13 met both levels of screening for the final critical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2976 venous anastomoses with coupler device were carried out in the 13 studies with a combined thrombosis in 46 veins reported, giving an average 98.5% patency and a variation in thrombosis rate ranging from 0 to 3%. CONCLUSION: The venous coupler device serves as a powerful instrument in microsurgery by achieving high patency rate. More importantly the data suggests less variation in thrombosis rate compared to hand-sewn venous anastomosis.

Application of microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To describe the clinical application of microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction.Methods From July,2013 to November,2013,microvascular free flaps were transferred to reconstruct the defects simultaneously after tumor resection of head and neck region in 12 cases in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,Peking University School of Stomatology.Microvascular anastomotic coupling devices (MACD) were used in vascular anastomosis.The clinical data were collected and analyzed,including the selection of free flap,diameter of donor and recipient vessels,type of MACD,time of anastomosis,instant patency of anastomosis.The flap was monitored closely after operation and the final survival rate was calculated.Results Twelve microvascular free flaps were done in this series,including 6 fibula flaps,4 forearm flaps and 2 anterolateral thigh flaps.Totally 17 MACD were used by end-to-end anastomosis in this series,including 5 arterial anastomosis and 12 venous anastomosis.The anastomose time using MACD was from 4 to 10 minutes,with a median time 6.8 minutes.The instant patency rate of anastomosis was 100％.There were some blood leakages near the anastomotic stoma in 1 arterial anastomosis using MACD.It was resolved successfully by changing a new MACD.Conclusion Our primary clinical experience showed that the MACD was well suited to the microvascular reconstruction of head and neck defect.The feasibility and reliability was confirmed by our clinical cases.It should be recommended as a safe,fast and reliable adjuvant anastomotic instrument for free tissue transfer.

The preliminary application of microvascular anastomotic device for free flap transfer in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced lesion / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To observe the effect of vein anastomosis by microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction.Methods Sixteen cases needing free flaps were randomly selected in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced lesion.Their veins were anastomosed by microvascular anastomotic device.Other 40 cases whose veins were anastomosed by manual anastomosis were selected as control during the same year.The statistical data of the time of veins anastomosis,thrombosis and the rate of flaps salvage were compared.Results The average time of venous anastomosis was 6.31 ± 0.87 minutes,which was lower than the manual anastomosis (19.20 ±4.62 minutes) significantly.There was no thrombosis,which was not significant different with the manual anastomosis.One case's venous blood flow was not smooth for the angled vein and the flap salvage operation was successful.Conclusion The time of venous anastomosis is shorten significantly by microvascular anastomotic device.The incidence of thrombosis is the same compared with venous anastomoses performed with sutures.The microvascular anastomotic device system allowed a time-efficient and safe venous anastomosis.

End-to-end venous anastomosis using the microvascular anastomotic in head and neck detects reconstruction with free flaps / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To assess the reliability and useness of using a coupling device for end-to-end venous anastomosis in patients undergoing free-tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction.Methods Twelve patients undergoing surgical resection and head and neck defects were repaired with fibular flap,anterolateral thigh flap and radial forearm flap.The microvascular anastomotic device was used to perform venous anastomosis in these cases.Flap survival and thrombosis of the venous anastomoses were determined.Results There were no flap losses due to venous thrombosis in this series.The venous anastomosis was usually coupled in about 5.3 minutes and appear as an obviously time savings compared with performing a hand-sewn venous anastomosis.Conclusion The microvascular coupler is excellent in end-to-end venous anastomosis and certainly less taxing on the surgeon when compared with standard suture techniques.

Application of microvascular anastomotic device in vascular injury of upper limb / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of arteriovenous anastomosis by microvascular anastomotic coupler device.Methods From January 2013 to November 2013,23 cases of microvascular anastomotic coupler device were applied in 18 patients with vascular injury of upper limb,and anastomosis time and patency rate was observed.Results In 18 patients,the brachial artery injury in 2 cases,the radial artery injury in 11 cases,the ulnar artery injury in 8 cases,the cephalic vein injury in 1 case,and basilic vein injury in 1 case.23 microvascular anastomotic coupler devices were applied in vascular injury.The post procedure vascular patency rate was 100％ and the average time of anastomosis was 3min 59s.Conclusion Microvascular anastomotic coupler device is charactered by higher patency rate and faster operation.It can not only be used in venous anastomosis of tissue graft,and also has a certain value in the repair of arteriovenous injury.

The clinical valve of microvascular anastomotic devices in the repair defects of lower extremity with free flap / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of microvascular anastomotic devices in the reconstruction of lower extremity defects by free flap transfer.Methods A retrospective review of 42 consecutive patients who underwent lower extremity microvascular reconstruction performed from May 2013 to November 2013 by microvascular anastomotic devices was performed.Patient charts were reviewed for age,sex,etiology of defect,location of defect,flap type,anastomotic technique,complications and flap survival.Results No patients had an arterial or venous anastomosis revised.The vascular anastomosis patency rates was 100％ and the flap survival rate was 97.6％.Total complication rate (9.5％) was due to 1 partial flap loss,1 partial skin graft loss and 2 hematoma.There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications involving the use of a microvascular anastomotic device itself.Conclusion Microvascular anastomotic devices have effective vessel anastomoses in lower extremity microvascular reconstruction.Thus,it presents an ideal tool for lower extremity microsurgical reconstruction.

Distal anastomotic patency of the Cardica C-PORT(R) xA system versus the hand-sewn technique: a prospective randomized controlled study in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: The C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems (Cardica, Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA) demonstrated favourable results in feasibility trials. However, distal vein anastomoses created with the C-Port® or C-Port xA® system have never been compared with hand-sewn distal vein anastomoses. The objective of this study was to compare distal end-to-side anastomoses facilitated with the C-Port xA® System with the traditional hand-sewn method. METHODS: This single-centre prospective randomized controlled study comprised 71 patients (device group n = 35, control group n = 36) who underwent primary elective coronary artery bypass grafting between June 2008 and April 2011. The primary study end-point was 12-month distal anastomotic patency, which was assessed with prospective ECG-gated 256-multislice computed tomographic coronary angiography using a step-and-shoot scanning protocol. For the primary end-point, a per-protocol analysis was used. RESULTS: In the device group, four (11%) anastomoses were converted to hand-sewn anastomoses, and additional stitches to achieve haemostasis were necessary in 22 (76%) patients. There was no hospital mortality in either group. During the 12-month follow-up, a single death occurred in the Device group and was unrelated to the device. Twenty-nine patients in the device group and 32 in the control group completed 12-month CT coronary angiography. The overall patency of 160 studied distal vein graft anastomoses was 93%. Comparison of the end-to-side target anastomosis showed 12-month patencies of 86 and 88% in the device group and the control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to these preliminary results and despite the limited number of patients, the use of the C-Port xA® System is safe enough to perform distal end-to-side vein graft anastomosis, with respect to 12-month end-to-side distal venous anastomotic patency. Although there are some technical challenges with this device, the incidence of complications is comparable to the traditional hand-sewn technique.