NOTE ON A NEW METHOD OF SUTURING BLOOD-VESSELS

The method of suturing blood-vessels which I described recently in The Journal1 consists in the use of a new instrument together with the application of a continuous mattress suture. The mattress suture apposes the intima more satisfactorily than the overhand stitch. I have found, however, that it is sometimes difficult to prevent leakage with the continuous mattress stitch, as the points between the sutures have but little compression by the suture and no raw surface, For this reason, if a leakage occurs, it is sometimes difficult to stop. This is particularly true when suturing vessels of different caliber, as in transplanting a segment of vein between the cut ends of an artery, and has been the chief objection to this method.In order to overcome this objection, I have recently used a double mattress stitch, or cobbler's stitch, which has been so successfully employed by Dr. Crile in intestinal