Observations On the Recovery of Continuity of Divided Arteries and Veins

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Abstract
Rejoining of divided arteries and veins was studied by serial in vivo microangiography and histology in almost completely transected rabbit ears. At 4 days new fine vascular communications were by themselves capable of maintaining the viability of the distal ear. Reconnection of main arteries and veins was evident by 7 days. The steps in healing included: initial connections between sidebranches; invasion of the divided vessel ends by the highly vascular granulation tissue filling the wound; progressive restoration of the lumen of the occluded terminal vessel segments; and enlargement of direct, with concomittant regression of circuitous paths. New arterial connections contained elastic tissue and smooth muscle. The pressure gradient across the line of division was the decisive factor determining the speed of reconnection. Direct end to end connections occurred earlier in veins, reflecting earlier clot lysis in the terminal venous segments.