LONG-TERM RESULTS OF VEIN GRAFTS INTERPOSED IN ARTERIAL DEFECTS USINGTHE TELESCOPING ANASTOMOTIC TECHNIQUE AND FIBRIN GLUE

Fibrin glue has been applied in the anastomosis of vein grafts placed in rat femoral arteries using the telescoping technique at both ends o f the graft. 34 out of 35 grafts which were patent 1 to 3 weeks post-o peratively were kept for 3 months to assess the long-term patency, and the effect of the glue on the diameters of the graft and femoral arte ry, All 34 grafts were patent 3 months post-operatively. Excessive enl argement of the graft diameter was alleviated by the fibrin glue witho ut affecting the diameter of the femoral artery, The diameter at the p roximal anastomosis was 66% and that at the distal anastomosis was 87% of the diameter of the femoral artery.