Abstract
Vessel grafting is commonly used for revascularization or pedicle lengthening. Although
veins are more commonly used, they can form aneurysms when bridging an arterial gap.
This can lead to thrombosis, and the risk is increased when there is a size discrepancy.
This study reports the long-term results of arterial lengthening via size discrepant
carotid artery and femoral vein grafts in a rat femoral artery model (1:1.5 ratio).
A total of 28 rats were used in this study, divided into two groups of 14. By the
21st day, one anastomosis in each group has been found to be thrombosed. Long-term
patency rates were the same for both groups (93.3%). Radiologic imaging showed that
size match in the carotid artery grafts was excellent despite of slightly fusiform
dilatation, but in the vein groups, pronounced aneurismal deformation and distortion
in the anastomosis was seen. Histologic analysis revealed that in the arterial grafts,
endothelial continuity was smooth and mural inflammation was less than that of the
vein grafts. Organized or recanalized mural thrombi were seen in 38.5% in the vein
grafts, whereas in arterial grafts there were none.
Keywords
microvascular grafting - pedicle lengthening - size discrepancy
