Sealing of polyester prostheses with autologous fibrin glue and bone marrow

The purpose of this study was to develop a sealing technique for polyester prosthetic grafts able to promote healing and reduce intimal hyperplasia. T he porcine experimental model was aortoiliac bypass with a 6-mm diameter kn itted polyester prosthetic graft implanted for 14 and 90 days. Animals were divided into three groups according to sealing technique as follows: precl otting with blood (group I, n = 12), sealing with autologous fibrin glue (g roup II, n = 14), and sealing with autologous fibrin glue and bone marrow c ells (group III, n = 16). Feasibility and quality of sealing were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy prior to implantation and by assessment of blood loss. After removal, prostheses were cut into three segments compris ing the proximal anastomosis, midsection, and distal anastomosis. Pieces we re fixed, embedded in paraffin, and serially sectioned for histologic study . Histological study focused on the degree of stenosis and hyperplasia of t he neointima of each prosthesis. The results of this short-term study indic ate that sealing of polyester vascular prosthetic grafts with autologous fi brin glue and bone marrow cells is effective in reducing intimal hyperplasi a. However further study will be needed to assess long-term healing.