A trial was conducted for patients with peripheral arterial disease, who required either a femoral artery endarterectomy or a peripheral bypass procedure. Patients were randomized into two groups: a VCS group, in which the proximal anastomoses were made using VCS clips; and a control group, in which both proximal and distal anastomoses were performed using Prolene sutures. Outcomes assessed were the speed of anastomosis and patency. Adverse events were monitored.
In the VCS group, 12 patients underwent anastomoses using VCS clips. In the control group, 12 patients underwent vascular reconstruction using sutures. In the VCS group, the mean speed of anastomosis was 1.9 mm/min, whereas the mean speed in the control group was 2.5 mm/min; this was not significantly different (
Anastomosis in the femoral artery using VCS clips is not faster than that using running Prolene sutures, and in our small sample, two serious adverse events in the VCS group were observed. These results do not support the further use of vascular clips in peripheral vascular surgery.