ACELLULAR HUMAN DERMAL MATRIX AS A SMALL VESSEL SUBSTITUTE

In both vascular and microvascular surgery, there is a need for a non- thrombogenic, small-caliber, arterial substitute. Clinically, most ves sel substitutes with diameters under 4 mm have low patency rates. An a rterial conduit made from a biocompatible human acellular dermis may b e useful as a small Vessel conduit. The purpose of this study was to e valuate and compare the patency rates of a vascular conduit made from rolled human acellular dermal (ACD) matrix and a similar-sized polytet rafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube, using the rat femoral artery interpositi on model. Twenty-eight days after implantation, 9 of 10 (90 percent) A CD grafts and 5 of 8 (62.5 percent) PTFE grafts were patent. False ane urysms formed in 6 ACD conduits along the longitudinal suture line. Th e three patent non-aneurysmal ACD conduits developed an endothelial lu minal lining. While further studies are needed, acellular dermis appea rs to be a promising material for use as a vessel substitute.