A Clampless and Sutureless Aorto-Prosthetic End-to-Side Anastomotic Device: An Experimental Study

Objectives: A feasibility study. Methods: Eight pigs (all females; mean weight: 29 kg) underwent a conventional transperitoneal aortic approach with implantation of an aorto-prosthetic end-to-side anastomosis using a Clampless (R) device and deployment of a 5-mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft. After proximal ligature, a conventional end-to-end anastomosis was then performed between the graft and the left iliac artery. Results: The first pig died during the procedure due to graft misplacement. The seven other procedures were successful with a mean operative and anastomosis time of 101 min (range: 81-115 min) and 3.35 min (range: 2.25-4.25 min), respectively; mean blood loss was 152 ml (range: 30-235 ml). Another pig with a patent graft died at day 4 as a result of a severe unrelated pneumonopathy. The angiogram performed during the procedure and before sacrifice, at 2 (n = 2), 4 (n = 2) and 6 weeks (n = 2), showed no graft stenosis or thrombosis. Microscopic examination revealed a tissue covering the intraluminal stent, which evolved over time, with no visible endothelial proliferation or inflammation. Conclusion: An aorto-prosthetic anastomosis can be performed safety and efficiently with our new clampless and sutureless device. The next step will be a laparoscopic Clampless (R) implantation. (C) 2009 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.