Laser welding for vascular anastomosis using albumin solder: an approach for MID-CAB.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To improve minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MID-CAB), new techniques of vascular anastomosis that are faster and more reliable need to be developed. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Common carotids in a canine model were transected and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed by using one of four techniques (1) continuous 6-0 polypropylene closure (suture; n=6), (2) vascular clip (VCS; n=6), laser welding using 50% albumin solder with (3) a 1.32-micro laser (1.32las; n=6), and (4) a 1.9-micro diode laser (1.9las; n=4). Times for anastomosis (TA) were compared between groups by t-test. Pressures at which anastomosis failed (leak point pressure, LPP) were determined and compared by analysis of variance. RESULTS: TA was faster for 1.32las and 1.9las at 8.4+/-0.7 and 7.8+/-0.3 min, respectively, when compared with suture at 13.8+/-1.0 min (P=0.001, confidence interval CI]-8.1, -2.6 for 1.32las and CI -8.9, -3.1 for 1.9las). There was no statistical difference between VCS (8.3+/-3.3 min) and any other group (P > 0.17). LPPs (mm Hg) were similar for all groups: 350+/-37 for 1.32las, 280+/-31 for 1.9las, 347+/-46 for suture, and 358+/-53 for VCS, P=0.68. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, laser welding using 50% human albumin solder resulted in faster anastomotic times. Anastomoses were equivalent to conventional sutured anastomoses in failing at similar pressures. Laser welding using human albumin solder may be advantageous in improving coronary anastomoses during MID-CAB, but long-term anastomotic strength and histologic evaluation need to be investigated.