[Late occlusion at the anastomosis site of an extended polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE) graft with small caliber]

Recently expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE) graft is often used in arterial bypass for atherosclerosis obliterans. In our series of 38 patients (48 legs) undergoing femoropopliteal bypass with E-PTFE graft of 6mm-caliber, a cumulative patency rate was 40.8% at 36 months after operation and a mean duration of patency was 26.3 months. To clarify the cause of occlusion, the diseased grafts were removed and histopathologically examined. Macroscopically, the E-PTFE graft was occluded by the intimal hyperplasia, so called pannus ingrowth from the recipient artery into the graft. The pannus formation of the graft was more remarkable in the distal than in the proximal site of anastomosis, suggesting the influence of blood flow on its formation. Microscopically, no endothelial cells were observed inside the E-PTFE graft except for the surface of pannus. Thus, less extension of endothelialization was thought to be a cause of late occlusion in E-PTFE grafts. Most desirable is the autologous saphenous vein for femoropopliteal bypass. However, when it is not available, E-PTFE graft with a larger caliber must be used in combination with postoperative anticoagulant therapy.