title: Microvascular grafts: effect of diameter discrepancy on patency rates.
abstract: This study examined the effects of diameter discrepancy between interpositional vein grafts within a range of 0.25 to 2 mm. One hundred rats underwent isolation of a 10 mm segment of the femoral artery, from which a 4 mm segment was removed. Venous grafts measuring 8 +/- 2 mm were interposed. The rats were categorized by their graft to artery diameter ratios. Patency was assessed upon completion and 4-6 days postoperatively. All surgical specimens were submitted to the pathology department for microscopic evaluation. Results showed Group I: graft to artery ratio 1:1, patency rate 90% (18/20); Group II: ratio 0.75:1, patency rate 80% (16/20); Group III: ratio 0.5:1, patency rate 60% (12/20), Group IV: ratio 0.25:1, patency rate 20% (4/20); Group V: ratio 2:1, patency rate 60% (12/20). It is concluded that 1:1 venous graft to artery ratios are optimal. When this is impossible, diameter discrepancies should be at least 0.75:1 for acceptable patency rates to be attained in microvascular grafting.
authors: Microsurgical Unit, Vista Hills Medical Center, El Paso, TX.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Monsivais
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*