New techniques of analyzing the healing process of artificial vascular grafts, transmural vascularization, and endothelialization.

Beside traditional techniques (light, immunofluorescence, transmission electron (TEM)- and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a new more sensitive method for producing microcorrosion casts using a polyester-based resin has been developed. The SEM analyses of the microcorrosion casts of alloplastic vascular grafts was realized in an absolutely stable stage of polymerization. For the first time, a transprosthetic vascularization could be shown in great three-dimensional detail. The importance of a complete and rapid endothelialization of artificial vascular grafts is discussed.