First results of clampless distal anastomosis in peripheral vascular bypass with LeGoo, a thermoreversible polymer

BackgroundWe report our initial experience with LeGoo (Pluromed Inc, Woburn, Mass), a temporary thermoreversible occlusive gel, in peripheral vascular revascularization.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2010, LeGoo was used to occlude target vessels during bypass surgery in 14 patients who required infrainguinal revascularization.ResultsProximal occlusion of the target vessel was obtained with a mean quantity of 0.25 mL of LeGoo. Distal occlusion of the vessel was obtained with a mean quantity of 0.28 mL. One injection of LeGoo was sufficient to prevent backbleeding in 11 of 14 patients. The mean occlusion time was 13.4 ± 3.3 minutes. An injection of saline through the graft or better directly into the arteries was used to dissolve the gel. For our first case, a Fogarty catheter was used to remove residual gel from the anterior tibial artery.ConclusionsLeGoo gel can be used to stop blood flow in small-bore arteries in the lower limbs to allow anastomoses to be performed.