Healing characteristics of a new silver-coated, gelatine impregnated vascular prosthesis in the porcine model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the intraluminal and extraluminal healing behaviour of a new metallic silver coated, gelatine impregnated vascular graft.


METHODS
Comparative animal experimental investigation with randomisation of the animals to control and experimental groups.


METHODS
24 pigs were assigned to two control and two experimental groups. The prostheses were interposed in the pigs' infrarenal aorta. For the evaluation, macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical criteria were applied.


RESULTS
The macroscopic evaluation after explantation of the prosthesis revealed similar healing characteristics in the control and experimental groups. The microscopic determination of neo-intimal thickness showed no significant differences between the groups; nor did the immunohistochemical investigations show any significant difference between the control group and the silver-coated prosthesis group.


CONCLUSIONS
No disadvantage of the silver coating in terms of healing and graft patency was found. A possible advantage in terms of the antibacterial effect of the silver coating must be investigated in the clinical setting.
Ueberrueck
T
T
Friedrich-Schiller University, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Jena. torsten.ueberrueck@med.uni-jena.de
Meyer
L
L
Zippel
R
R
Nestler
G
G
Wahlers
T
T
Gastinger
I
I
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005780:Gelatin; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D011091:Polyesters; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012834:Silver; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011091:Polyesters; D012834:Silver; D005780:Gelatin