Catéter Venoso Periférico de Poliuretano como Injerto Microvascular Permanente en un Modelo de Rata: Aplicación...

Restoring vascular continuity is crucial in digital replantation when direct anastomosis is not possible. Although autologous vein grafts are standard, they pose technical challenges and donor-site morbidity. This study evaluated the short-term patency and histopathological response of inexpensive and readily available PPVC grafts in a rat femoral artery model.

Twenty male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into two groups: PPVC graft (n = 10) and autologous vein graft (n = 10). A 5-mm femoral artery defect was repaired with either a 26G PPVC or a contralateral femoral vein segment. After three weeks, vascular patency was assessed by ultrasonography and histopathology. Thrombus formation, fibrosis, neovascularization, calcification, and inflammatory infiltration were semiquantitatively scored (0-3). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Compared with the autograft group, the PPVC group demonstrated significantly higher scores for thrombus formation (p < 0.001), fibrosis (p = 0.002), neovascularization (p = 0.001), and inflammatory infiltration (p = 0.003). Calcification was not observed in either group. Severe thrombus formation occurred in one rat in the autograft group and three in the PPVC group. Despite these findings, no clinical signs of ischemia, including discoloration or gait impairment, were observed during follow-up.

PPVC grafts are technically feasible and show partial biological integration within three weeks. However, higher thrombosis, fibrosis, and inflammation indicate limited short-term patency compared with autologous grafts. Further studies with longer follow-up and surface modifications are needed.