Laser and suture anastomosis: Passive compliance and active force production

One carotid from each dog underwent a laser anastomosis and the other carotid an interrupted suture repair. One or eight weeks later (n ≥ 4 dogs/time period); four rings (1 mm in length) containing the laser or suture anastomosis or the normal artery (two/dog) were removed. Using a photoelectric force transducer and lever system, the ring was stretched in increments and passive force measured. At each length, the arterial muscle was stimulated and active force measured. The mean laser and control passive length/tension (L/T) curves were not different (P > 0.05), but the suture curve was shifted downward (P 0.05) and lower than the control curve (P < 0.04). At 8 weeks, the laser‐repaired vessels produced an active force similar to control muscle (P > 0.05) but the suture repairs could not generate this active force (P