POOR FUNCTION OF MICROVASCULAR PROSTHETIC GRAFTS

Four types of knitted microvascular prostheses (10 x 2 mm) were implan ted into the abdominal aorta in four groups of Wistar rats. The prosth eses were made of polyester multifilamentous yam (groups 1 and 3), or polyester monofilamentous (groups 2 and 4) and finished with polyureth ane (groups I), polylactide (group 2) or a combination of the two poly mers (groups 3 and 4). Patency rates one and two months after the impl antation for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 30%, 20%, 40%, and 70%, respec tively. Collateral blood channels bypasssing the grafts developed in m ost of rats. No endothelial lining was found in any of the grafts.