IN spite of all the spectacular advances in vascular surgery, the successful repair of small vessels is still a challenge. Arteriotomy of a small vessel is well known to be followed by late stricture formation if a patch graft is not applied.1 The question is what type of graft offers the best results for long term patency? Some investigators are in favor of autogenous vein patches.2 Others prefer the autogenous artery.3,4 Still others recommend synthetic material.5
The purpose of this study was to compare the autogenous vein patch with the Dacron patch graft in the dog.
Method
Eleven mongrel dogs, varying in weight from 7.3 to 17.3 kg (16 to 38 lb), were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, 30 mg/kg of body weight. Under aseptic conditions both femoral arteries were exposed through longitudinal incisions in the groin and isolated with rubber bands or umbilical tapes. Arteries ranged