Continuous versus interrupted suture technique in microvascular anastomosis in rats.

PURPOSE To compare the continuous and interrupted suture technique on femoral artery on rats after vessel repair and 14 days after. METHODS Twenty rats were operated randomly divided into two group matched according to the suture technique used: interrupted or continuous. We performed a femoral anastomosis on the right femoral artery. We analyzed weight, arterial caliber, anastomosis time and patency after vessel repair and 14 days after. RESULTS There was no significant difference between groups in the weight (p=0.64), diameter of the femoral artery (p=0.95) and patency (p=1.00). The time spent in the anastomosis was 451 seconds in the continuous group and 718 seconds in the interrupted group, presenting significant difference (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The continuous suture technique shows a similar patency rates than interrupted technique, however with a shorter time to perform the anastomosis.