Objectives: The non-penetrating Vascular Clip System (VCS) was tested
experimentally and compared with the conventional suture method on the
venous system.
Materials and Methods: In five pigs, 30 transverse venotomies were
carried out in the jugular and renal veins, and vena cava. Fifteen
venotomies were reconstructed using autosuture clips and 15 using the
standard needle and suture method. Eight weeks later, following
phlebography, the specimens were examined macro- and microscopically.
Results: For both methods, the veins remained patent; however,
significant stenosis of 8.9% (95% CI: 0.6-17.1) for the renal vein and
8.5% (95% CI: 1.2-15.7) for the vena cava occurred when the suture
technique was used. The intima to media height ratio remained the same.
The anastomosis time with the clips was significantly shorter
(p<0.05),while the endothelium remained intact without any hyperplasia
or inflammatory changes, which are usual findings of the suture
technique.
Conclusion: Early and mid-term results show that the VCS clipped
anastomotic technique seems to be effective and acceptable for venous
reconstructions
