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Biomedical subjects

D Wherry

Publications and source records attributed to D Wherry.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of titanium vascular closure staples with suture repair of the thoracic aorta in swine.

OBJECTIVE: Devices that reduce technical difficulty and anastigmatic time when repairing large vessels such as the thoracic aorta would be beneficial. The aim of this study was to determine if titanium vascular closure staples (3 mm) could be safely and quickly applied in the repair of large vessels such as the thoracic aorta. DESIGN: Through a left thoracotomy in 10 female swine (110 to 130 lb), an interposition graft (14 to 16 mm textile) was placed into the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery. Animals were randomized at the time of repair to either running sutures (n = 5; 6-0 polypropylene) or vascular closure staples (n = 5; 3 mm). The anastomosis was evaluated after 2 months with aortograms, and the aorta was harvested to evaluate healing. RESULTS: The clamp times (mean +/- SD) were 30.8 +/- 8.2 min for suture repair and 24.8 +/- 5.1 min for vascular closure staple repair (p = 0.2). Anastomosis times were 20. 0 +/- 6.2 min for the suture group and 16.4 +/- 6.4 min for the vascular closure staple group (p = 0.4). Arch aortograms at 2 months revealed no significant difference in luminal narrowing between the two groups. Gross and microscopic examination revealed no thrombosis, well-healed wounds with a continuous intimal layer, and no differences in intimal thickness or inflammation between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Vascular closure staples were equivalent to sutures in terms of durability, graft patency, and wound healing at 2 months. Vascular closure staples may offer the trauma surgeon a quick and easy alternative when repairing large vessels such as the thoracic aorta.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Sutureless vascular reconstruction with titanium clips.

Attempts to find alternatives to sutured vascular reconstruction techniques has continued for decades and include various forms of rings, tubes, endoluminal stents as well as gluing or welding techniques of large vessel anastomoses. One recently introduced technique uses nonpenetrating titanium clips for everted vessel approximation and closure. Experimental work on their use in various types of large vessel repairs and reconstructions has shown that the clips are easily applied with a short learning curve, create good conditions for vessel wall healing without causing excessive inflammation or fibrosis, and are considerably faster to apply when compared to standard suture techniques. Although there are some clinical reports of defective clipped closures causing postoperative bleeding complications, they are rare and most probably related to technical errors in applying the clips. The main disadvantages of the clips include the limited experience of their applicability in atherosclerotic vessels, lack of long term follow-up and cost. Potentially, the clips could be useful in the repair of multiple vascular injuries, in vessel repair or ligation performed in confined spaces, and in vascular procedures requiring the shortest possible cross-clamping time. Future applications could include endoscopic procedures as well as the use of a one-shot device which simultaneously applies up to a dozen clips to symmetrically everted and approximated vessel edges.

Animals↗

Rapid arterial anastomosis with titanium clips.

BACKGROUND: The obvious advantages of rapid arterial anastomoses have prompted the continuing search for more rapid anastomotic techniques to complement the standard sutured anastomosis. Nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged titanium vascular closure staple (VCS) clips were initially developed for microvascular anastomoses. The purpose of this study was to compare VCS clips with sutured arterial end-to-end anastomosis in larger vessels. METHODS: In 6 pigs, transacted iliac arteries were reanastomosed with VCS clips on one side and continuous 6-0 polypropylene suture on the other. RESULTS: The reconstruction time was 8.4+/-5.2 minutes for clip closure and 12.0+/-6.6 minutes for suture closure (P = 0.033). All vessels were patent half an hour after completing the anastomoses with no signs of early thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial end-to-end anastomosis can be performed more rapidly with VCS clips than continuous sutures, and are potentially useful in situations where the clamp time of the vessel is critical.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Common bile duct repair with titanium staples. Comparison with suture closure.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Closure Staple (VCS) clips made of titanium were initially developed for microvascular anastomoses with little experience of their use in larger tubular structures. This study compares VCS clips and sutures in the closure of supraduodenal choledochotomy. METHODS: In nine pigs, two longitudinal incisions of the common bile duct (CBD) were randomly assigned to closure with 4-0 interrupted polyglactin sutures or VCS clips. RESULTS: Clip closure was significantly faster (116 +/- 28 vs 581 +/- 88 s). All nine CBDs were patent and without signs of calculus formation after 3 months. Clip closure resulted in slightly less narrowing of the duct lumen and thinner scar at the repair site. At histological examination, all 18 incisions had healed without signs of fistula formation or marked fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Choledochotomy closure with VCS clips results in as good or better wound healing than suture closure, with a comparable degree of narrowing. The time required for clip closure is only about one-fifth that of suture closure.

Animals↗

Arterial and venous repair with vascular clips: comparison with suture closure.

PURPOSE: Nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged titanium vascular closure staple (VCS) clips were initially developed for microvascular anastomoses with little experience of their use in larger vessels. The purpose of this study was to compare the VCS clips with standard suture closure of arteriotomies and venotomies in common iliac vessels of pigs. METHODS: In nine pigs, longitudinal 1 cm iliac arterial and venous incisions were repaired with VCS clips on one side and continuous 6-0 polypropylene suture on the other, and the macroscopic and microscopic results were assessed after 3 months. RESULTS: The time required for vessel repair was significantly shorter with clips than with sutures both in arteries (51 +/- 9 vs 414 +/- 36 seconds) and in veins (100 +/- 32 vs 439 +/- 45 seconds). There was no significant difference in the inner diameter, intimal thickness, or intima-to-media height ratios of the arteries or veins after either method of closure. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of 1 cm incisions in small-diameter arteries and veins with VCS clips results in wound healing as good as that achieved with standard suture closure, when assessed for patency, leakage, degree of narrowing, and intimal reaction. The time required for clip closure is considerably shorter than for suture closure.

Animals↗

Choledochoscopy via the cystic duct: evaluation of a new ultrathin disposable choledochoscope.

A 2 mm fibreoptic choledochoscope with a disposable (resterilisable) flexible section was evaluated in 25 cadavers and 13 patients undergoing cholecystectomy. It was possible to pass the instrument via the cystic duct (CD) into the common bile duct (CBD) in 23 out of 25 cadavers and in 12 out of 13 patients. The CD diameter in cadavers was 2.4 mm (SD 0.5). Optical clarity was excellent and it was easy to pass into the duodenum, but proximal passage required mobilisation of the CD/CBD junction. This instrument may be a useful adjunct or even an alternative to intraoperative cholangiography.

Common Bile Duct↗