The inner prosthetic surface structure and re-endothelialization: an experimental study in the rat using two types of microvascular prostheses for aortic implantation.

Two types of microvascular prostheses were implanted in the rat infrarenal aorta. Operations were carried out with clean, nonsterile instruments under ether anesthesia. Anastomoses were made with a continuous 8-0 suture. In group A, a 1-cm-long piece of expanded polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and in group B a 1-cm-long fibrous polyurethane prosthesis were implanted. Both groups consisted of 18 rats. Three rats from each group were killed at days 3, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 postimplantation. Prostheses were examined by scanning electron and light microscopy for the re-endothelialization. All prostheses in both groups were patent at the time of death. Re-endothelialization started in both types of prostheses the fifth day after implantation and had advanced 1-3 mm in the PTFE prostheses at day 60. However, in the fibrous polyurethane prostheses, re-endothelialization progressed and a complete new lining was achieved between days 20 and 40 postimplantation. The endothelium/neointima in the fibrous prosthesis was firmly anchored onto the prosthetic wall by means of cellular protrusions between the polyurethane fibers. In contrast to this observation, the endothelium/neointima developed in the PTFE prostheses was not anchored to the wall of the prosthesis. It is emphasized that the development of a new lining in a prosthesis may reduce the risk of endogenous, hematogenous infections. From the results of this study, we have concluded that there is a correlation between the inner surface structure and the extent of the re-endothelialization of a prosthesis. A prosthesis with a fibrous structure is much more rapidly and completely re-endothelialized than an expanded PTFE prosthesis.