A Clip System for Vascular Anastomoses

The aim of this study was to test a clip system for vascular anastomoses. Clinical use of these clips in 102 vascular reconstructions was performed in 70 patients with or without a prosthetic graft. The mean time to perform an anastomosis was shortened approximately 10%-60% using the vascular clip system as compared with conventional suturing. No intraoperative complications occurred. During follow-up of 4 to 16 months, there were no deaths, no episodes of bleeding, no infections, and no other severe complications; the vessels and grafts remained patent. Additional studies are needed to determine whether use of the vascular clip system will decrease operative trauma, reduce intimal injury, or increase patency in vascular reconstructions. However, the authors' series shows that the system can be used without complications and that it requires less clamping and anastomotic time than does conventional suturing.