ABSTRACT
In this study, the 3M microvascular anastomotic system was utilized for the first
time to perform an end-to-end anastomosis in a non-vascular tubular structure, which
was compared to the conventional micro-vascular suture method. The bicornuate rat
uterus was the preferred structure because of its anatomic similarity to the human
fallopian tube. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 3M and conventional end-to-end
anastomoses of their bicornuate uteri. At different intervals, the animals were explored
and biopsies were taken for examination under light microscopy. Overall patency rate
with the 3M technique was 68 percent vs. 96 percent with the conventional technique.
Complication rates were 40 percent with the 3M device and 12 percent with the conventional
method. This study concludes that, if this method is to be used on non-vascular tubular
structures, further modifications to the system and additional research are mandatory,
in order to recommend this technique for clinical application.
