[Clinical studies of Gore-Tex vascular prostheses. A review of the literature].

Reconstruction of arterial and venous vessels by means of polyester and teflon vascular prostheses gives unsatisfactory distant results. Three-year long observations show that only 50% are satisfactory. The best results are achieved when autogenous veins are grafted. It is estimated, however, that in 15-30% of cases the veins are useless as prosthetic material because of various pathological changes. New types of vascular prostheses have to be searched for, such that would meet all requirements. In the end of the 1970 the Gore Firm worked out a unique technological process of making vascular prostheses of pure, distensible or reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene, porous in structure. In 1970 such prostheses, named Gore-Tex, were subjected to experimental studies. The present paper discusses first publications on the prostheses, the publications included ample statistic material and discussed perspectives in vascular surgery that the new type of vascular prostheses opens.