Experimental Study of the Histologic Findings of the Neoendothelialization according to Length of Polytetrafluoroethylene in Rabbit / 대한정형외과연구학회지

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patency rates and the histologic findings of neoendothelialization according to the length of implanted polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with an internal diameter of 3mm. Under the operating microscope, grafts of 8 and 24mm in length were implanted in the right carotid arteries of thirty rabbits by interrupted end-to-end microanastomosis. They were divided into two groups according to the length of implanted PTFE. Each group had fifteen rabbits. All implanted grafts were 25micro meter in fibril length and 0.39mm in wall thickness. Three grafts per group were harvested at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation and all grafts were observed for patency rates and the histologic findings with a light microscope and scanning electron microscope. In conclusion, there was no difference in patency rates according to the length of implanted PTFE. However, the formation of neointima and subintimal tissue was delayed and incomplete in the longer implanted PTFE group.