Experimental end-to-side anastomosis of arteries less than one millimeter in diameter and clinical applications

Experimental end-to-side anastomoses of rabbit arteries less than 1.0 mm in diameter were performed. Technical details, angle of inset, and vessel opening discrepancy are discussed. We emphasize the value of end-to-side arterial anastomoses in increasing the patency rates of anastomoses and consequently the survival rates of composite graft transfers. Twenty-eight clinical free composite tissue transfers using end-to-side arterial anastomoses were completed with total graft survival.