Development of an artificial portal vein using bioabsorbable polymers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Innovation
• Vascular Reconstruction

Background:

• Portal vein resection is often necessary during hepatobiliary pancreatic tumor surgery.
• The lack of alternatives for portal vein reconstruction poses a significant surgical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel artificial portal vein using a bioabsorbable polymer sheet (BAPS).
• To assess the efficacy and safety of BAPS as a potential alternative for portal vein reconstruction in abdominal surgery.

Main Methods:

• An artificial portal vein patch was created using a bioabsorbable polymer sheet (BAPS).
• The BAPS patch was implanted to replace an excised portion of the anterior wall of the portal vein in hybrid pigs (n=8).
• Implantation sites were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically at 2 weeks (n=3) and 3 months (n=5).

Main Results:

• No blood leakage was observed immediately after implantation.
• At 2 weeks, BAPS showed endothelialization and no thrombus formation.
• By 3 months, BAPS was fully absorbed, with no stenosis or aneurysms observed at the implantation site.

Conclusions:

• Bioabsorbable polymer sheet (BAPS) effectively functions as a temporary replacement for defective portal veins.
• BAPS demonstrates potential as a viable alternative material for surgical reconstruction of the portal vein.