[Experimental study of acute intra-operative arterial elongation].

Objective: To investigate the effect of arterial elongation on the arteries and to set up a new method for vessel repair.

Methods: This study was performed in 24 arteries that underwent different traumatic deficit and acute intra-operative elongation repair. The vessels were harvested and studied by histology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry on day 1, 7 and 28 after operation.

Results: The total unobstructed rate was 100% for deficit group as well as control experimental group. The content of collagen and elastin at various intervals showed no significant difference, the ratio of them also had no significant difference. Following anastomosis, the compliance of arteries was decreased, the peak value of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cell percentage was less than 20%, the internal diameter of elongation and anastomosis edge had no significant difference between deficit group and control group. There were no marked differences in pathological changes between deficit group and control group.

Conclusion: Acute intraoperative artery elongation after balloon dilatation is a simple, safe, and effective alternative to vein interposition in the repair of traumatic arterial injuries. It appears to be a useful method in the emergency treatment.