Bovine ureter as a vascular prosthesis: a preliminary report on an experimental study in dogs

Bovine ureters from healthy cattle were mounted on a glass rod, covered with a polyester mesh, then tanned in glutaraldehyde. Processed ureters 6 mm X 100 mm were inserted as an aortoiliac bypass around the ligated terminal aorta in seven dogs. All prostheses remained patent during an observation period of 3 to 17 months. No aneurysms, anastomotic aneurysms, or dystrophic changes occurred during this time. The epithelium lining the biological prosthesis became replaced by endothelila-like cells within 3 months, ureteric smooth muscle was replaced by host fibrous tissue within 17 months.