Reinforced graft-to-artery anastomosis: an experimental study

This experiment was designed to study the effects of reinforcing graft-to-artery anastomoses. A section of infrarenal aorta was replaced with a Dacron graft in 24 dogs. In eighteen animals one anastomosis was reinforced with a cuff of Dacron graft material, while the remaining six dogs both anastomoses were reinforced, one with graft material and the other with Dacron mesh. The animals were sacrificed at three week to six month intervals. The grafts were examined grossly and microscopically, and the tensile strength of the anastomosis determined. There was no difference in tensile strength or in the luminal healing. There was only limited fibrous healing under the graft material cuff whereas there was full incorporation of the mesh cuff.

Reinforcement is not required routinely. When used, the cuff should be made with mesh rather than graft material.