Reinforcement of Fresh Autogenous Venografts to Aorta

Abstract

Successful replacement of segments of major arteries or of the aorta with preserved arterial homografts has given new impetus to the development of vascular surgery. In addition to extending the indications for resection of segments of arteries or of the aorta, successes with homografts have stimulated efforts to develop other methods for replacing the resected vessels. Utilization of a segment of fresh autogenous vein as a graft to replace a resected segment of artery has certain advantages over the use of preserved arterial homografts. First, the use of a fresh autogenous venograft obviates the necessity of an arterial bank, which under many circumstances is difficult or impractical to maintain. Second, the fresh autogenous venograft is reported to "take," remain viable, and grow in its new position without being replaced by the recipient's tissues. These more biologically acceptable autografts have thus been considered less likely to undergo degenerative changes and might