Scanning electron microscope study of microvenous grafts to artery

The healing of microvenous grafts to femoral arteries in the rabbit has been studied using scanning electron microscopy at intervals ranging from zero time to 5 months. Healing of the grafts followed a similar pattern to that of end-to-end repairs. Postoperative survival of the original endothelium was far superior in the vein than in the artery. Re-endothelialization was completed by 2 weeks. No dilation of the graft or aneurysm formation appeared. A detailed account of the healing vein grafts has been reported and will enable comparison of healing of microvascular heterografts.