A new arterial graft, a fibrocollagenous tissue tube supported by polyester mesh, was evaluated as a substitute for a small
caliber artery. The graft of 3 mm in internal diameter and 3.5 to 5.7 cm in length were implanted into the external iliac
arteries of 24 dogs. The patency rate of the graft was 73% from 0 to 7 months following the operation. The newly formed vascular
wall was soft and stable. the graft showed good endothelization of the neointima.
Key words vascular graft - fibrocollagenous tissue tube - small arterial substitute - alcohol preservation - polyester mesh - neo-intima
Supported in part by the Scientific Research Encouragement Grant No. 387108 from the Ministry of Education of Japan.