ABSTRACT
The telescoped microanastomosis is simpler and less time consuming to perform compared to the conventional end-to-end anastomosis. This chapter summarizes experimental studies regarding morphology and function of microvascular anastomoses by comparing the telescope technique with the end-to-end technique. Nevertheless, the telescope technique seems to be less traumatic than the end-to-end technique and, hence, an alternative of possible value when increased risk of anastomotic thrombosis using the end-to-end technique is expected. The telescope technique resulted in considerable stenosis, which was marked immediately postoperatively with an average remaining luminal aperture of 22%. In small vessels of equal sizes the telescope technique seems less suitable than the end-to-end technique because of severe anastomotic stenosis which is followed by a considerable decrease in blood-volume flow. Luminal reduction in blood-volume flow in the immediate postoperative period was in accordance with the reduction in luminal aperture that was observed in the angiography study.
