Comparison of the telescoping anastomotic technique with the end-to-end technique utilizing vein grafts for venous defects: short- and long-term results.

Abstract

The telescoping anastomotic technique was used for both anastomoses of vein grafts placed in the rat left epigastric vein in an effort to make the anastomosis easier and faster. Vein grafting in the right epigastric vein was completed using the conventional technique. The 20 rats with 20 left and 13 right vein grafts, which were patent at 3 weeks, were seen again 3 months postoperatively to compare the two techniques with regard to long-term stenosis and histological changes. Patency of the grafts 2 hr postoperatively was also compared between the two techniques in another 25 rats to eliminate the influence of recanalization on patency. All the vein grafts, which had been patent 3 weeks postoperatively, remained patent after 3 months and no statistically significant difference was found between the telescoping and conventional technique in the degree of stenosis. The vein grafts 2 hr postoperatively were all patent in both groups.