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Rat epigastric pedicle model: A clinically relevant evaluation of 1‐mm ptfe grafts
Author(s) -
Barttelbort Scott W.,
O'leary Michael J.,
Schneider James,
Woodruff Woody
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.1920060408
Subject(s) - medicine , polytetrafluoroethylene , anastomosis , surgery , fibrous joint , inferior epigastric artery , femoral artery , artery , materials science , metallurgy
Twenty‐eight Sprague‐Dawley rats had 1.0‐mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition grafts placed in their femoral artery that supplied a 3.0 × 3.0 cm epigastric pedicle flap. The model is the first to evaluate 1.0‐mm PTFE under rigorous, clinically simulating conditions. Anastomoses employed a new, continuous telescoping suture technique. Grafts were selected for histological and electron microscopic evaluation, which confirmed the development of a cellular neointimal lining. Viability of the flap model had a 90% correlation with graft patency. Overall graft patency was 50%. Patency was documented in some specimens harvested at 200 days. The flap model is a good indicator of graft patency. PTFE grafts of 1.0‐mm internal diameter are not yet equivalent to autologous veins. Future refinements, particularly aseptic technique, are expected to result in even higher patency rates.