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Summary: The infra-millimetre vessels are difficult to suture, because the placement of forceps in the lumen is delicate and threads often cross the walls. The technique of the IntraVascular Stent (IVaS), developed to remedy it, did not make the proof of its superiority. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of a variant, the Clip Stent. Our series included two groups of 10 rats. In group I, the artery of the tail was anastomosed by threads of nylon 10/0. In group II, the artery was anastomosed according to the technique of Clip Stent including three stages: introduction of a monothread of polypropylene 6/0, anastomosis by threads of nylon 10/0, ablation of the Clip Stent and the closure of possible leaks. The assessment consisted in measuring the time of anastomosis, in counting the number of separate threads and leaks, and in testing the permeability. The time of anastomosis was longer 12 minutes in the group II. The number of points by anastomosis was 6.5 in the group I and of 5.5 in the group II. The permeability was 90% in two groups. The Clip Stent is faster than the IVaS. It is useless to realize vascular threads of the lumen before the introduction of the stent. Once the stent in position, it cannot traumatize the intima and its migration is impossible. Contrary to the IVaS, the Clip Stent allows to realize the last threads stent in position, by releasing the tourniquet. The ablation is safe. Its superiority to the conventional methods remains to demonstrate by improving its introduction in the lumen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The intravascular stent technique (IVaS) was developed to simplify the anastomosis of submillimeter blood vessels. One variation of the IVaS called the “clip stent”, improved the patency of anastomosed vessels. The goal of this study was to analyze a subsequent technical variation called the “pull out stent”, which aims to reduce trauma to the vessel. Our experimental study comprised 4 groups of 10 rats. Anastomosis of the tail artery was performed with 10-0 nylon suture using either interrupted sutures (group I), IVaS (group II), “clip stent” (group III), or “pull out stent” (group IV). The “pull out stent” technique consisted of 3 steps: introduction of the stent (intraluminal and then transluminal introduction of a 4-0 nylon monofilament followed by introduction of the other end into the opposite lumen), anastomosis, and then removal of the stent. The anastomosis procedure time was longer in group III than in group IV. The number of stitches and the patency were similar in all groups. There were more leaks in group I. The “pull out stent” was faster, less traumatic to the vessel wall, allowed for more regular sutures and caused fewer leaks than the other stenting techniques. One possible clinical application is the anastomosis of digital veins as part of replantation or toe transfers, especially in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]