[Venous reconstruction using a fresh arterial patch in experimental microsurgery]

The Authors have studied the lower trombogenicity following interposition of an arterial patch in a venous termino-terminal microanastomosis. The microsurgical operation was performed on the femoral vessels of the rat. A tract, cm 0.8-1 long, of femoral artery was excised and after washing in Emagel solution, was interposed in the femoral vein of the opposite leg. The patency of the femoral vein was verified at the end of the anastomosis. We also studied the histological change of the arterial patch grafted both 10 and 30 days after the operation. A progressive reduction of the reactivity around the nylon sutures and an increasing venous metaplasia was found correlating with time.