Clinical applications of acute intraoperative arterial elongation

This study reports four clinical cases in which acute intraoperative, extraluminal, arterial elongation was utilized. This technique was developed to facilitate end-to-end anastomoses across vascular defects traditionally bridged with vein grafts. In the reported cases, arterial defects, ranging from 17 to 25 mm, were closed primarily following the application of this technique. Follow-up, ranging from 3 to 34 months, has demonstrated patency in all cases. The authors believe this technique can be used clinically as a reliable alternative to vein grafting for the reconstruction of certain arterial defects.