[Experimental studies on artificial prostheses in microvascular surgery].

The need for microvascular grafts in replantation and free tissue transfer is well recognized. Variable results are reported in the literature. Therefore, an experimental study was undertaken to assess the suitability of an expanded PTFE (Polytetrafluoro-ethylene) as a microvascular graft. A 2.0 mm diameter graft was implanted in the artery and the vein of the rabbit. No graft in the venous system remained patent. From these animal experiments we conclude that there is no clinically applicable synthetic micro-graft available.