Effect of blood bonding on bursting strength of laser-assisted microvascular anastomoses

This experiment evaluated the influence of blood on the weld strength of laser‐assisted microvascular anastomoses (LAMA). Rat femoral arteries were anastomosed end‐to‐end by either direct laser welding (group I) or by a bloodbonded technique (group II) whereby fresh blood was applied to the vessel edges before laser exposure. Bursting strength was measured at 0, 1, and 24 hours and at 3 and 7 days by infusing methylene blue into the vessel while pressure was monitored. The results showed significantly increased bursting strength in group II compared with group I at 0 hour and 7 days (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in bursting strength in group I from 0 hour to 1 hour (P < 0.05). It is concluded that blood‐bonding enhances the early bursting strength of LAMAs and may facilitate arterial wall healing.