Microvascular application of the nonreversed vein graft

To determine the applicability of the nonreversed vein graft technique to 1-mm-diameter vessels, 24 New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral replacement of 2-cm defects in the femoral artery with vein graft conduits. On one side a standard reversed vein graft (RVG) was employed, and on the other side a nonreversed vein graft (NRVG) was placed after valve disruption with a Hall valvulotome. Patency rates were not statistically different (RVG 87 percent, NRVG 96 percent, p > 0.1). Electron and light microscopy revealed similar endothelial damage and time to endothelial recovery between the two techniques. There was no difference in flow volume between the two techniques. We conclude that the NRVG technique has acceptable patency rates in 1-mm-diameter vessels within the parameters of this study but that further research is required to determine clinical applicability.