Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene as a microvascular graft: a study of four fibril lengths

The utility for a prosthetic microvascular graft is well demonstrated, but previous studies have been inconclusive. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) has been most widely tested as a prosthetic graft. Polytetrafluoroethylene is composed of transverse nodules connected by long fibrils. This study evaluates the effect of fibril length on observed patency in a 1-mm inner-diameter system. Fibril lengths tested were 30, 60, 90, and 120 micron. One-hundred and sixty-three grafts were implanted in the abdominal aorta of Sprague-Dawley rats by a single surgeon using a standardized technique. No anticoagulants were used. Grafts were harvested at predetermined times and evaluated macroscopically, by scanning electron microscope, and by standard histology. The highest patency observed was 97.7 percent in the 90-micron fibril-length grafts. Fibril morphology also affected patency. Increased patency was associated with an amorphous fibril pattern. The graft functioned as a matrix for the formation of a pseudoartery, complete with monocell-thick intima and smooth-muscle media. A foreign-body reaction was observed in the 60-micron fibril-length graft only. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene does show promise as a microvascular graft. Both fibril length and morphology affect observed patency.