The Histologic Study of the Neoendothelialization of Polytetrafluoroethylene as an Arterial Substitute in Rabbit

Lee, Kwang Suk; Kang, Ki Hoon; Kyon, Kyu Ho

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patency rates and the histologic findings of neoen- dothelialization according to the length of implanted polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with an internal diameter of 3 mm. Under the operating microscope, grafts of 8 and 24 mm 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 compised fifteen rabbits. All implanted grafts were 25 pm in fibril length and 0.39 mm in wall thickness. Three grafts per group were harvested at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation respectively and all grafts were observed for patency rates and the histologic findings with light microscope and scanning electron microscope. In conclusion, there was no difference in patency rates according to the length of implanted PTFE and histologically the formation of neointima and subintimal tissue was delayed and incomplete in longer implanted PTFE.