Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg 1990; 6(3): 287-292
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006832
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1990 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Patency and Healing of Polymeric Microvenous Prostheses Implanted into the Rat Femoral Vein by Means of the Sleeve Anastomotic Technique

P. H. Robinson, B. van der Lei, J. M. Schakenraad, W. J. Jongebloed, H. J. Hoppen, A. J. Pennings, P. Nieuwenhuis
  • Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgery, Histology and Cell Biology, and Polymer Chemistry, University Hospital and University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1990

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

The sleeve anastomotic technique was used to enhance the longer term patency and healing of polyurethane-based (PU) microvenous prostheses (ID: 1 mm, length: 5 mm, wall thickness: 0.2 mm; n = 34) in the rat femoral vein. In the control group, PU prostheses (n = 12) were implanted by means of the conventional end-to-end technique, and all were found to be occluded after one day (n = 6) and three weeks (n = 6). In the other experimental groups, the prostheses were evaluated after one day (n = 6), three weeks (n = 10), and six weeks (n = 18) of implantation by means of routine light- and scanning-electron microscopy.

The occluded prostheses in the control group demonstrated a firmly attached mural thrombus at the anastomoses at one day and a completely organized thrombus at three weeks after implantation.

Thirty-one of the 34 PU prostheses implanted by means of the sleeve technique were patent. At one day, all patent PU prostheses (five out of six) demonstrated minimal thrombus accumulation and a smooth transition at the anastomotic sites. At three and six weeks, all patent PU prostheses (16 out of 18) were covered by a complete endothelial layer. Underneath the endothelial layer, a subendothelial layer, composed of two to four layers of smooth muscle cells, could be observed. The wall of the prostheses were penetrated by fibrohistiocytic tissue. Stenosis was not observed.

These results demonstrate that the sleeve anastomotic technique not only improves the short-term patency of PU microvenous conduits, but also the longer-term patency rate. Moreover, these results demonstrate that the PU microvenous prostheses possess sufficient healing characteristics to ensure the formation of a stable natural inner endothelial and smooth muscle cell lining. The sleeve anastomotic technique seems to open new avenues in prosthetic microvenous grafting.