anastomosis /ənas′tōmō″sis/ [Gk, anastomoien, to provide a mouth] , 1. a connection between two vessels. 2. a surgical joining of two ducts, blood vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to the other. A vascular anastomosis may be performed to bypass an aneurysm or a vascular or arterial occlusion. With the patient under anesthesia, a section of the greater saphenous vein or a synthetic prosthesis is grafted to the prepared vessels. Postoperative nursing care includes preventing tissue injury and wound infection. Lack of blood flow may allow the graft to close. Pulses distal to the anastomosis are evaluated frequently. Capillary refilling time and the color and temperature of the skin are checked. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy may be started within hours. Urinary output is monitored. Kinds include end-to-end anastomosis, end-to-side anastomosis, side-to-side anastomosis. See also bypass. −anastomotic, adj., −anastomose, v.
