New four-stitch sleeve anastomosis: an experimental study in rats with reports of clinical use.

A new technique for microvascular four-stitch sleeve anastomosis of arteries is described. Modifications from previously described techniques include absence of suture material within the arterial lumen, and a decreased proximal to distal artery overlap. In 40 rat arterial anastomoses, 100% patency without evidence of stenosis or early aneurysm formation was seen up to 6 weeks postoperatively by in vivo observation, arteriography and Doppler flow study.