MICROVASCULAR APPLICATION OF THE NONREVERSED VEIN GRAFT

To determine the applicability of the nonreversed vein graft technique to 1-mm-diameter vessels, 24 New Zealand White rabbits underwent bila teral replacement of 2-cm defects in the femoral artery with vein graf t conduits. On one side a standard reversed vein graft (RVG) was emplo yed, and on the other side a nonreversed vein graft (NRVG) was placed after valve disruption with a Hall valvulotome. Patency rates were not statistically different (RVG 87 percent, NRVG 96 percent, p > 0.1). E lectron and light microscopy revealed similar endothelial damage and t ime to endothelial recovery between the two techniques. There was no d ifference in flow volume between the two techniques. We conclude that the NRVG technique has acceptable patency rates in 1-mm-diameter vesse ls within the parameters of this study but that further research is re quired to determine clinical applicability.