Evaluations for surrounding tissue incorporation after implantation of synthetic vascular prostheses in animal models

Incorporation of surrounding tissues after implantation of synthetic vascular prostheses potentially varies in accordance with implanted prostheses. To evaluate post-implant tissue incorporation, we examined surgical, histological and ultrastructural findings after implantation in animal models. Three types of commercially available prostheses were tested (Gelweave™; Group G, J Graft SHIELD NEO ® ; Group J and Triplex ® ; Group T). Prostheses were implanted into Sprague–Dawley rats subcutaneously or sutured on abdominal aorta of Japanese white rabbits. The tissues were surgically examined for adhesion and were subjected to histological evaluations for cellular and tissue infiltration and ultrastructural observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Group G exhibited less tendency in adhesion formation in early phase (rat: G vs J, P < 0.0001; G vs T, P < 0.0001/rabbit: G vs J, P < 0.0001; G vs T, P = 0.059). In late phase, Group J showed highest adhesion (rat: G vs J, P = 0.0004; J vs T, P = 0.015/rabbit: G vs J, P = 0.0015; J vs T, P = 0.0044). In group G, a gap was observed between implants and surrounding tissues forming capsulation, whereas other groups exhibited tissue infiltration inside of the implants wall which were also confirmed by SEM. The tissue permeation toward the implants and adhesion was positively correlated ( P < 0.0001). Surrounding tissue conformation varied in accordance with the type of prostheses. It is desirable to elucidate characteristics of each prosthesis to select suitable grafts for each patient to achieve a better surgical outcome.