[A new instrument for extirpation of PTFE vascular prostheses. Initial clinical experiences]

In seven patients in whom a PTFE prosthesis had to be removed (six arteriovenous dialysis shunts in the arm and one femoro-popliteal by-pass), surgery was performed with the aid of a newly developed prosthesis removal device. This device consists of a guide rod that is inserted in the prosthesis while a second, chisel-like extension with a sharp cutting edge is advanced along the exterior of the prosthesis to separate it from the tissue. With this technique, up to 17-cm-long segments were extirpated subcutaneously. The only complication was a lesion of an radial artery in an atypically situated AV shunt. The advantages of the new instrument are that it saves time and conserves tissue and skin.