Influence of elastic and non-elastic external Dacron mesh support on para-anastomotic hypercompliance in end-to-end anastomoses.

To quantify the influence of elastic and non-elastic external mesh support on para-anastomotic hypercompliance in end-to-end anastomoses (ex vivo).Six end-to-end anastomoses prepared from ovine carotid arteries without mesh support and with external elastic and non-elastic dacron mesh support.Compliance profiles of the anastomised arterial segments were measured successively, in the same anastomotic configuration without mesh support, with external elastic dacron mesh support and with external non-elastic dacron mesh support (randomized order). A pulsatile ex vivo perfusion system using a laser scan micrometer to monitor outer systolic and diastolic diameter was employed.Median pre-anastomotic and post-anastomotic hypercompliance without external mesh support were 1.45 and 1.19%/100 mmHg, respectively, above reference compliance. Use of the elastic mesh support significantly reduced the median hypercompliance to 0.68%/100 mmHg (pre-anastomotic) and to 0.34%/100 mmHg (post-anastomotic) above reference compliance. The non-elastic mesh support caused approximately the same significantly reduced median hypercompliance to 0.53%/100 mmHg (pre-anastomotic) and 0.43%/100 mmHg (post-anastomotic).Both elastic and non-elastic external mesh support significantly reduced pre- and post-anastomotic hypercompliance.