Human umbilical cord vein grafts for replacement of the superior vena cava.

We have used umbilical veins as experimental graft materials for superior vena cava replacement. The patency rate of these grafts in 25 laboratory animals was 96%; the mortality and graft thrombosis rate was 4%. Histopathologically, no evidence of rejection was detected in the graft material. These results suggest that umbilical veins are superior to other prosthetic materials as grafts in venous surgery.