Suitability of the Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System for Small Spliced Vein Grafts

Abstract

Microvascular anastomotic coupler system is used in vascular surgical procedures. By using this device, vascular anastomosis can be performed faster and more easily. It is often used for venous anastomosis during microsurgical reconstruction. We performed distal bypass surgery on two patients with critical limb ischemia with spliced vein grafts using the microvascular anastomotic coupler system. The blood vessel diameters were 2 and 2.5 mm, respectively. Both grafts showed obstruction at 3 and 1 months, respectively, after surgery. The microvascular anastomotic coupler system may not be suitable for small-diameter spliced vein grafts.

Keywords

• coupler
• spliced vein graft
• automatic anastomosis
• microvascular
• bypass