ABSTRACT
Absorbable suture material for microvascular procedures may be superior to nonabsorbable
sutures because no foreign body remains at the operative site after suture absorption.
We compared Vicryl (polyglactin 910) to a nonabsorbable suture, Prolene, which has
been noted to have minimal throm-bogenic potency. Patency rates, aneurysm formation,
histologies and growth of the distal limb were measured and compared in microvascular
anatomoses of immature arteries.
Using 8-week-old rats, both femoral arteries (mean external diameter .85 mm) were
transected and reanastomosed, using 10-0 suture material (Vicryl and Prolene) on a
BV75-3 needle. Thirty rats were included in the study and separated into three harvest
groups which were harvested at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Magnification arteriography of
the femoral arteries was performed, as well as standard refill tests. Selected vessels
were sent for histologic study using H & E stain. Foot lengths of the rats were measured
and compared to preoperative lengths.
Prior to harvest, the arteries in the growing animals increased in diameter by 35
percent. Overall patency rates were 68.2 percent for Vicryl and 59.1 percent for Prolene,
a non-significant difference. Aneurysm formation was 9.1 percent for Vicryl, and 50.0
percent for Prolene, a significant difference (P < 0.01). The arteries repaired with
Vicryl showed less scar formation, less medial necrosis, and less subintimal hyperplasia.
Distal limb lengths showed no difference in the Vicryl and Prolene groups, but both
groups were statistically inferior with respect to the unoperated control group.
Our study demonstrated Vicryl to be equivalent to Prolene with respect to patency
rates, but superior with respect to aneurysm formation and histologic response. There
was no difference in distal limb growth. However, Vicryl showed fewer histopathologic
changes and more normal anatomy after suture absorption. Vicryl is an acceptable suture
material for microvascular anastomoses.
