Comparison of argon-laser welded and sutured repair of inferior vena cava in a canine model.

Background and Objective Advantages of laser-welded microarterial anastomoses have been reported. However, whether laser repair of large veins is advantageous is not yet known. Argon-laser welding of inferior vena cava was therefore compared with conventional-sutured repair. Study Design/Materials and Methods Twenty-four adult mongrel dogs were used. Twelve inferior vena cavas were repaired using an argon laser and the rest using continuous sutures. Specimens were removed at 2, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after repair. Technical characteristics, cavographical findings, and results of histopathological study using light and transmission electron microscopy were compared. Results Procedure time did not significantly differ between the two groups. The sutured repair sites were narrower than those repaired by laser immediately after and at 2 and 24 weeks. Histologically, laser welding resulted from denaturation of collagen and mild healing occurred simultaneously with the disappearance of denatured collagen. By contrast, there was strong fibrotic reaction at sutured repair sites. Conclusions These findings suggest that argon-laser repair of large veins is superior to continuous suturing. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:62–69, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.