Microscopic Studies of PTFE Microvenous Conduit for Rabbit Femoral Vein

ABSTRACT

In this study, 42 Polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses (Gore Tex internal diameter 1.5 mm, length 8 mm, fibrilar length 30micromiter, wall thickness 0.2 mm) were used to reconstruct the vascular gap of rabbit femoral vein. To enhance the patency rate and promote the healing process, the prostheses were connected to rabbit femoral vein by means of stair-like sleeve anastomosis. The specimens were obtained in 12 hours (n=4), 1 day (n=4), 3 days(n=4), 1 week (n=10), 2 weeks (n=10), 3 weeks(n=10). After determination of patency, the specimens were prepared with H&E stains and investigated under microscope. After 1 week, endothelial-like cells were observed around anastomotic area from the adjacent vein. After 3 weeks, all microvenous grafts were completely covered by endothelial lining. The anastomotic area was more prominent in the endothelial lining than in the central area. There was some evidence of migrating cells from adjacent soft tissue through micropores of PTFE prostheses. Overall patency rate of PTFE prostheses connected by stair-like sleeve anastomosis was 85.7%. We concluded stair-like sleeve anastomsis of PTFE prostheses in the rabbit femoral vein result in better overall patency rate than end-to-end anastomosis.