Abstract
Puncturing a vascular graft is common during implantation, cardiac catheterization and dialysis without a fear for hurting it. To evaluate the healing process of needle puncture biologic vascular grafts, a canine study was performed. Canine carotid arteries were obtained and treated with polyepoxy compound. Under general anesthesia, the grafts were implanted into the carotid artery position of 16 dogs. The grafts were punctured 5 times using a 18G needle. The grafts were evaluated macroscopically and microscopically from 1 hour to 191 days. At day 3, the bleeding was still observed through the wall. At day 7, fibrinolysis was noticed in the thrombus. At day 30, cell infiltration was minimum and it was from the adventitia side. At day 81, a mushroom shaped organized tissue, which was endothelialized, was formed. At day 191, some puncture sites had a thrombus and not healed. Healing process was delayed at the puncture sites. These results suggest that needle puncture of vascular grafts is not recommended and use a small needle, when it is necessary.
