Suture Extrusion in Small Arteries and Veins

Abstract

One longitudinally orientated microsuture was implanted in the femoral artery and vein of 40 rats and harvested at 4 different time intervals (2, 8, 12, 18 weeks). The tissue section containing the most luminal portion of suture loop was chosen and submitted for analysis. Two parameters, one estimating the suture location in the vessel wall relative to the internal elastic lamina (IEL) and a second, estimating the magnitude of the intimal response at the suture site were addressed. Average suture location changed significantly over time. The suture tended to be exteriorized or extruded from its once luminal location within the intima to a position located within the adventitia. Veins exhibited a greater incidence of suture extrusion than arteries. The maximum magnitude of the intimal cellular response occurred in the 2 week time interval. Significant decreases (p<0.05) in the thickness of the intima was observed in each subsequent time interval for both arteries and veins. The results of this experiment indicate that the cellular response and reparative processes occurring in small arteries and veins modifies the luminal papillary projection and extrudes nylon suture material.

Key words:

• suture extrusion
• microvascular repair