Using inverted autogenous veins to substitute arteries in a canine model

Rapid harvesting of autogenous graft over a wire is an optional way in trauma surgery and it places the inverted conduit so that its adventitial layer is within the lumen of the graft. Our aim of this study was to compare the patency of inverted autogenous graft vs noninverted graft in dogs.

Experimental animal models.

In this experimental study, 12 dogs were anesthetized and 10 cm of the external jugular vein was excised. The vein was equally divided into two 5-cm sections. One section was inverted and the other was left intact. Afterward, 5 cm of both the femoral arteries were removed and the right (inverted) and the left (not inverted) arteries were grafted, respectively. The patency of the arteries was evaluated by Color Doppler ultrasonography immediately postoperation and up to 6 months thereafter.

Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test using SPSS version 15. P value below 0.05 was significant.

None of the 12 inverted vein grafts were patent at 3(rd) to 14(th) days follow-up with Doppler ultrasonography. All of them were completely obstructed by thrombosis. However, 11 (92%) of the noninverted vein grafts were patent both at 3 and 6 months follow-up. One of the noninverted grafts was almost completely obstructed with thrombosis (90%) and the other 2 were incompletely obstructed with intimal thickening.

Despite many favorable results in the previous studies with regard to excellent patency of inverted vein graft, our results were disappointing and we recommend using the graft in the right direction and taking care to preserve the intima intact.