The principles underlying graft selection for arterial reconstruction.
In the aortofemoral segment Dacron has performed well for nearly 30 years. The choice of graft should be determined more by the handling characteristics than theoretical considerations. Whichever graft is selected the surgeon must be satisfied as to its durability and above all as to his technical ability to implant it accurately. In the femoropopliteal segment saphenous vein remains the graft of choice. It is not yet clear whether the technically more difficult in-situ operation has any advantage over reversed vein except in the use of smaller-calibre veins. In the absence of saphenous vein, all synthetics perform reasonably well to the level of the knee, particularly in the short term, but at present HUV appears preferably distally. Of the synthetics PTFE is easiest to use which makes it attractive to the less frequent user. However, we still await the arrival of an ideal arterial substitute.
D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D010539:Permeability; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene