Arterial End-to-side Anastomosis with the UNILINK System

Clinical Experience in End-to-Side Venous Anastomoses With a Microvascular Anastomotic Coupling Device in Head and Neck Reconstruction

“…In 1989, Ragnarsson et al 10 reported their laboratory experience with end-to-side arterial anastomosis in rabbits. In their model, a balloon angioplasty was used to facilitate the technique.…”

“…5 Laboratory animal studies have documented equal or greater patency in mechanically coupled anastomoses as well as faster performance 6,7 in normal and irradiated vessels. [6][7][8][9][10] Although the MACD has been available for human clinical use for the last 8 years, reported clinical use in human subjects remains rare. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Nylander et al 11 reported a favorable experience in hand surgery.…”

Modern adjuncts and technologies in microsurgery: An historical and evidence‐based review

“…Anastomotic couplers such as the Unilink/3M® Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler have been in use since the 1960s 35. While originally thought to be suitable for venous anastomoses only, their use now includes arterial anastomoses 36–40. Some series have also demonstrated the suitability of the coupler for use in end to side anastomoses 40, 41.…”

“…While originally thought to be suitable for venous anastomoses only, their use now includes arterial anastomoses 36–40. Some series have also demonstrated the suitability of the coupler for use in end to side anastomoses 40, 41. Ring couplers have been shown to significantly reduce average anastomotic times and technical difficulty, effectively homogenizing results between senior and junior members of surgical teams,34, 36–39 and patency rates are generally reported as equal or superior to traditionally sutured anastomoses 36–39.…”

Non-suture methods of vascular anastomosis

“…The system seems best suited for end-to-end anastomoses of soft, pliable, minimally size-discrepant vessels. Although most reports concern venous anastomoses, the device can also used for arteries 16,17 . Previous radiation therapy does not appear to be a contraindication to its application 18 , but severely atherosclerotic arteries are 19 .…”