Preserved human umbilical cord veins in reconstructive surgery of peripheral arteries. Clinical experience and...

Preserved human umbilical cord veins were used in 66 patients during 67 reconstructive interventions for replacement of arteries with a small diameter, in various anatomic sites. This includes 28 reinterventions (41.8% of the cases) after previous vascular surgery. In our predominantly negative selection of patients, 24 grafts were occluded within 3 months postoperatively, but some of these could be reopened successfully. Twelve more grafts were occluded by thrombosis up to one year after surgery. Taking into account the successful revisions, 62.5% out of 50 femoro-popliteal reconstructions were functioning one year after surgery. We therefore conclude that when an autogenous vein is no longer available, the use of glutaraldehyde-preserved human umbilical vein may thus be indicated for reconstructions extending beyond a joint.