Sutureless microvascular anastomosis has great translational potential to simplify microvascular surgery, shorten operative times, and improve clinical outcomes. The authors developed a transient thermoreversible microvascular stent using a poloxamer to maintain vessel lumen patency before application of commercially available adhesives to seal the anastomosis instead of sutures.

‘Sutureless Microsurgical Anastomosis Using an Optimized Thermoreversible Intravascular Poloxamer Stent.’ Davis CR, Rappleye CT, Than PA, Rodrigues M, Findlay MW, Bishop SN, Whitmore AJ, Maan ZN, McGoldrick RB, Grobbelaar AO, Gurtner GC. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016. 137(2):546-56. DOI: 10.1097/01prs.0000475774.37267.3f