Repair of carotid endarterectomy with a collagen-impregnated fabric graft.
Saphenous vein patch closure of carotid endarterectomies may decrease the risk of acute postoperative occlusion and recurrent stenosis. However, the disadvantages of a vein patch include postoperative rupture and pseudoaneurysm formation.


OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to assess the effectiveness of collagen-impregnated fabric grafts as substitutes for saphenous vein grafts.


METHODS
In this report the authors prospectively analyzed 290 consecutive carotid endarterectomies in which a secondary closure was accomplished using a knitted double-velour graft. The 30-day major neurological morbidity and mortality rate was 1.7%. There were no postoperative occlusions or wound hematomas. The rate of recurrent carotid artery stenosis was less than 1%, and the graft site in one patient became infected.


CONCLUSIONS
For surgeons who prefer a secondary closure of carotid endarterectomies, the synthetic graft may prove to be a viable alternative to a saphenous vein.
Meyer
F B
FB
Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Windschitl
W L
WL
D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D003094:Collagen; D004691:Endarterectomy; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation
D003094:Collagen