A recombinant elastin-mimetic triblock protein polymer with an inverse transition temperature (approximately 20 degrees C) was used to impregnate small-diameter (4 mm i.d.) expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that initial elastin impregnation of the graft followed by further multilayer coating with elastin films filled in the fibril a...

OBJECTIVE To determine on an ongoing basis the safety and efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex soft tissue patch and preformed nasal implants) as an implant in rhinoplasty. DESIGN A retrospective study of 309 consecutive patients who underwent rhinoplasty, including augmentation with Gore-Tex, during a 10-year period. SETTING Two major academic medical centers and 2 privat...

OBJECTIVE Arteriovenous fistulae traditionally have been placed in the upper extremity. Experience with groin hemodialysis access has been discouraging because of high infection rates and associated limb amputation. We reviewed our experience with angioaccess grafts in the groin to assess safety and viability in our hemodialysis patient population. METHODS A retrospective review was performed...

PURPOSE To retrospectively determine the incidence and outcome of angioplasty-induced ruptures that occurred during treatment of hemodialysis graft-related stenoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS During a five year period 1222 patients with dysfunctional or thrombosed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hemodialysis grafts underwent angioplasty procedures at our institution. Angioplasty-induced vascular r...

BACKGROUND The present study provides a contemporary and comprehensive summation of midterm patency rates of polyester (Dacron) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts in femoropopliteal bypass grafting based on a meta-analysis consisting only of randomized controlled trials. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify all randomi...

BACKGROUND In a previous in vitro study, we confirmed that small-caliber nanofibrous polyurethane (PU) vascular grafts have favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In the present study, we examined the in vivo biocompatibility and stability of these grafts. METHODS Forty-eight adult male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups receiving, respectively, polyurethane (PU)...

A study of nerve regeneration through a 1cm defect in the peroneal component of the sciatic nerve was performed on sixteen rabbits. Either silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tubes or nerve graft were used to bridge the defect and the opposite limb was not operated upon. The rabbits that underwent nerve grafting had favourable findings. In the PTFE group, a nerve-like structure was seen ...