Prosthetic arteries; resection of the abdominal aorta and replacement with plastic materials.

In seven cases, nine operations were done in which arterial replacements made of synthetic fabrics were used. In three cases the operation was entirely elective, and at last report the patients were doing well. In the four other cases there were acutely complicating factors, known before operation, and the patients died although so far as functioning of the prosthetic artery was concerned there was difficulty in only one case-a leak at one of the anastomotic seams. In one case in which the synthetic material was removed after it had been in place some time, the prosthesis showed little effect of foreign body reaction.