An alternative method of magnification for microvascular anastomosis was analyzed using an ordinary video camera and compared with the traditional method under microscope. For this study 20 rats were divided in two groups of 10 each: control group (microscope-assisted [M]) and experimental group (video-assisted [V]). Magnification was accomplished by a surgical microscope in group M, whereas a video system composed of low-cost camera, audiovisual cable, and analogue television in group V. In both groups, the right femoral artery was severed and sutured with interrupted simple stitches. The criteria examined were: patency, vessel diameter, amount of sutures, anastomosis time, and histologic features. There were no differences between both groups in patency rate and vessel diameter. The video-assisted microanastomosis is a time-consuming procedure as compared with the microscope-assisted anastomosis, to a certain extent due to lack of stereoscopic image and technical inability with the video system as well. There was a smaller quantity of sutures in group V. Higher foreign body tissue reaction was found in group M, consequent to greater amount of suture material. In conclusion, video-assisted microanastomosis is possible with the present video system but is not as safe as conventional microanastomosis.

The procedure described in this study demonstrated a low complication rate and high fusion rate, and can therefore be considered a reliable surgical technique for 4-corner fusion.

The surgical microscope is still essential for microsurgery, but several alternatives that show promising results are currently under development, such as endoscopes and laparoscopes with video systems; however, as yet, these have only been used for arterial anastomoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a low-cost video-assisted magnification system in replantation of the hindlimbs of rats. Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two matched groups according to the magnification system used: the microscope group, with hindlimb replantation performed under a microscope with an image magnification of 40× and the video group, with the procedures performed under a video system composed of a high-definition camcorder, macrolenses, a 42-in television, and a digital HDMI cable. The camera was set to 50× magnification. We analyzed weight, arterial and venous caliber, total surgery time, arterial and venous anastomosis time, patency immediately and 7 days postoperatively, the number of stitches, and survival rate. There were no significant differences between the groups in weight, arterial or venous caliber, or the number of stitches. Replantation under the video system took longer ( < 0.05). Patency rates were similar between groups, both immediately and 7 days postoperatively. It is possible to perform a hindlimb replantation in rats through video system magnification, with a satisfactory success rate comparable with that for procedures performed under surgical microscopes.

Continuous versus interrupted suture technique in microvascular anastomosis in rats 1 1-Experimental SurgeryActa Cir Bras. 2017;32(9):691-696 AbstractPurpose: To compare the continuous and interrupted suture technique on femoral artery on rats after vessel repair and 14 days after. Methods: Twenty rats were operated randomly divided into two group matched according to the suture technique used: interrupted or continuous. We performed a femoral anastomosis on the right femoral artery. We analyzed weight, arterial caliber, anastomosis time and patency after vessel repair and 14 days after. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in the weight (p=0.64), diameter of the femoral artery (p=0.95) and patency (p=1.00). The time spent in the anastomosis was 451 seconds in the continuous group and 718 seconds in the interrupted group, presenting significant difference (p<0.01). Conclusion:The continuous suture technique shows a similar patency rates than interrupted technique, however with a shorter time to perform the anastomosis.

Background. A literature review of the use of video systems for magnification has suggested that so far, this novel magnification system has only been used to perform arterial anastomoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of 2 low-cost methods of video-assisted magnification in microvascular venous anastomosis in rats. Methods. Thirty rats were randomly divided into 3 matched groups according to the magnification system used: the microscope group, with venous anastomosis performed under a microscope; the camcorder system group, with the procedures performed under a high-definition Handycam HDR-XR160; and the Photographic camera group, for which procedures were performed with an EOS Rebel T3i photographic camera. In both video system groups, a magnification system was connected to a 42-in. television by an HDMI cable. We analyzed weight, venous caliber, total surgery and anastomosis time, patency immediately and 14 days postoperatively, number of stitches, and histological analyses. Results. There were no significant differences between the groups in weight, venous caliber, or number of stitches. Anastomosis under the video systems took longer. Patency rates were similar between the groups, except for the photographic system group that has a lower patency rate at 14 days. The histological analyses were similar in all groups. Conclusion. It is possible to perform a venous anastomosis in rats through video system magnification, with a satisfactory success rate comparable with that for procedures performed under microscopes; however, the kind of video system has a great influence on the final patency.

The right femoral vessels of 80 rats were identified and dissected. External lengths and diameters of femoral arteries and femoral veins were measured using either a microscope or a video magnification system. Findings were correlated to animals’ weights. Mean length was 14.33 mm for both femoral arteries and femoral veins, mean diameter of arteries was 0.65 mm and diameter of veins was 0.81 mm. In our sample, rats’ body weights were only correlated with the diameter of their femoral veins.