Laser assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA): a promising non-suture technique for surgery

摘要

The first successful experiment of laser vascular welding was reported in 1979. Laser assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) is looked as a particularly promising non-suture method in future. We performed a Medline literature search on laser vessel welding combined with cross-referencing. According to the former experimental animal studies, CO_(2~)-, argon-, diode-, KTP-, Holmium:YAG-, and Nd:YAG-lasers have been used for LAVA. Almost all lasers have been used in combination with stay suture and/or solders in order to improve the strength on anastomosis site. Advantages of LAVA are minimal vessel damage, faster operation and the potential for minimally invasive application. However, the clinical application of LAVA is still seldom employed because of aneurysm formation. In conclusion of the literature study, the diode laser is the most popular, but long-term evaluation is required.