The use of cryopreserved microvenous allografts in the venous system without immunosuppression: an experimental study

Autogenous vein grafts are currently the number one choice in microsurgical practice for managing vessel length discrepancies. A significant percentage of these grafts is used in the venous system. Allografts may serve as a viable alternative source of vein grafts. Few studies in the past have described the use of cryopreserved vein grafts (1 mm in diameter) in the venous system. In the present study, we cryopreserved the femoral veins of rats and transplanted these across rat species (ACI to Lewis) as interpositional vein grafts into a defect in the femoral vein. Short-term patencies (21 days), expressions of systemic antigenicity, histology, and scanning electron microscopic studies were performed. We obtained 100% patencies with fresh control veins and cryopreserved veins at 21 days.