Portal vein reconstruction with conventional polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: an experimental study in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the short- and long-term performance of conventional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts for portal vein reconstruction. The grafts were placed as a portal vein replacement in 11 mongrel dogs. At 1 month and 6 months, the grafts were then retrieved and examined for patency, while also undergoing a pathological analysis. During the observation period (at 55 days), one dog died of an unknown cause with a patent graft. The patency rates of the other 10 grafts were 83% (5/6) at 1 month and 100% (4/4) at 6 months. However, the neointima formation was incomplete even 6 months after implantation. In conclusion, although conventional PTFE grafts may be used as a synthetic alternative to autogenous vein grafts, every effort should be made to use autogenous vein grafts before considering conventional PTFE grafts.