Abstract: Objective To construct the animal model of carotid artery bypass by three different methods and comparative study the experimental results. Methods 36 rabbits were divided into three groups. P1 group: the external jugular vein was inversion and interposed to the ipsilateral carotid artery using an end-to-side continuous suture technique; P2 group: the carotid artery bypass was constructed by end-to-end continuous suture technique; C group: the animal model was constructed by cuff technique. The time of surgery and anastomoses, blood loss in operation, the patency of anastomoses, and the proliferation of graft vein were observed and compared between groups. Results No death was found in the three groups. The surgery time was similar between group P1 and P2, but longer than that in group C (p<0.05). Blood loss in operation was similar in three groups (p>0.05). The size of anastomoses constructed by cuff technique was relative fixed, and the stenosis of anastomoses happened infrequently. The suture method needs more techniques, improper suture and tight knots can cause the stenosis of anastomoses directly. The proliferation of vein at anastomoses was more frequent in group P1 and P2 and the rate of anastomotic stenosis was higher, more frequently happened in group P2, compared with cuff group (p<0.05). The proliferation of vein graft body parts was similar in three groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Animal model of carotid artery bypass by cuff technique was much easier to grasp, and stenosis of anastomoses happens infrequently, which is suitable for the study of pathophysiological change on vein graft. Suture method needs more techniques, and stenosis of anastomoses happens frequently, however, it is important for the study of the anastomotic stenosis.

Key words: Artery Bypass, Vein Graft, Anastomoses, Animal Model