Development of a polyepoxy compound cross-linked heterologous connective tissue tube

A heterologous connective tissue tube with "built-in" polyester mesh was developed using a rabbit subcutaneous tissue and polyepoxy compound cross-linking method. To evaluate the graft, 11 grafts were implanted end to end in the position of the thoracic aorta of 11 dogs and evaluated from 1 hr to 80 days after surgery. The graft was white and pliable, and the mesh was seen through the connective tissue. The handling characteristics were good, and no bleeding was observed from either the graft wall or suture holes. Macroscopically, at 1 hour, the luminal surface was covered with a thin thrombus layer. At 80 days, most of the inner surface of the explanted graft was white and shiny without irregularity, but a small area of blood stain was observed. Microscopically, fibroblasts were observed in the graft wall at 7 days; capillaries penetrating to the luminal surface appeared at 29 days. Bleeding was rarely observed around the fabric. A layer of donor connective tissue was still observed at 80 days. No foreign body reaction was observed except around the mesh. It was concluded that the graft healed well and could be an arterial substitute.