Shuhei Fujita1, Masaaki Yamagishi2, Keiichi Kanda3, Yoshinobu Maeda1, Tomoya Inoue3, Masashi Yamanami3, Taiji Watanebe3, Eiichi Konishi4, Naoko Takeda-Miyata4, Hitoshi Yaku3. 1. Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. 2. Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. Electronic address: myama@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp. 3. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. 4. Department of Pathology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine 465, Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi, Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate histological and mechanical properties of autologous in vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts (in vivo-TEVGs) used for pediatric heart surgery. DESCRIPTION: Molds of in vivo-TEVGs made of silicone drain tubes were embedded into the subcutaneous spaces in two boys during their first surgery and used as patch materials to treat pulmonary artery stenosis during the second surgery. The remaining pieces of the patches were evaluated histologically and mechanically. EVALUATION: In vivo-TEVGs had very smooth luminal surfaces, their walls mainly comprised collagen fibers and small numbers of fibroblasts. The mean wall thickness was 200 μm, mean suture retention strength was 2.26 N, and burst pressure was 3057 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Human in vivo-TEVGs mainly comprise collagen fibers and their mechanical properties prove them safe for pulmonary arterioplasty. Therefore, human in vivo-TEVGs may be promising alternatives to autologous pericardium for pediatric cardiovascular surgeries that often require multi-stage operations.
PURPOSE: To evaluate histological and mechanical properties of autologous in vivo tissue-engineered vascular grafts (in vivo-TEVGs) used for pediatric heart surgery. DESCRIPTION: Molds of in vivo-TEVGs made of silicone drain tubes were embedded into the subcutaneous spaces in two boys during their first surgery and used as patch materials to treat pulmonary artery stenosis during the second surgery. The remaining pieces of the patches were evaluated histologically and mechanically. EVALUATION: In vivo-TEVGs had very smooth luminal surfaces, their walls mainly comprised collagen fibers and small numbers of fibroblasts. The mean wall thickness was 200 μm, mean suture retention strength was 2.26 N, and burst pressure was 3057 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS:Human in vivo-TEVGs mainly comprise collagen fibers and their mechanical properties prove them safe for pulmonary arterioplasty. Therefore, human in vivo-TEVGs may be promising alternatives to autologous pericardium for pediatric cardiovascular surgeries that often require multi-stage operations.