Synovis says Coupler effective in connecting arteries in breast reconstruction surgery

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., April 18 - Synovis Life Technologies, Inc. announced Tuesday the publication of an article showing that using the Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System, the company's mechanical device for connecting blood vessels without sutures, produces a reliable, strong arterial anastomosis (connection of blood vessels) in less time than a sutured connection in breast reconstruction procedures.

While many studies have focused on the use of the Coupler to connect veins, far less data is available on its use in connecting arteries, which have thicker vessel walls, the company said in a news release.

"Over the last decade, surgeons have increasingly used the Coupler in venous anastomoses in various surgical applications throughout the body, with anastomotic patency rates equal to or surpassing those for sutured anastomoses. Surgeons appreciate the Coupler's simplicity, dependability and time savings. This study opens a new arena for Coupler use in breast reconstruction procedures," president and chief executive officer Karen Gilles Larson said in the release.

The breast reconstruction article encompassed the results of retrospectively reviewed microsurgical breast reconstructions performed between 1998 and 2004. Sixty patients, with an average age of 45, underwent the procedure for a total of 80 flaps or tissue transfers.

The Coupler was used with 84% of the flaps. When a size discrepancy existed between flap and recipient vessels, the Coupler selected reflected the smaller of the two diameters.

The Coupler was not used where the mismatch was significant or where the artery wall was exceptionally thick or calcified.

The overall flap success rate was 100%, the release said.

The article concluded, "With proper vessel selection, arterial coupling may be performed in an expeditious, safe and reliable fashion with minimal morbidity. Though not commonly practiced, use of the coupling device for arterial anastomosis can provide significant time savings, especially in bilateral breast reconstruction."

The article appears in the April issue of the Annals of Plastic Surgery.

Synovis, based in St. Paul, Minn., is a medical device company engaged in developing, manufacturing and bringing to market medical devices for the surgical and interventional treatment of disease.

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