ObjectiveTo observe the morphological and pathological changes after transplantation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in vivo. MethodsPTFE microporous polypropylene tube which was encircled by spiral steel wire was used to prepare the artificial trachea.Forty New Zealand white rabbits (weighing,4-5 kg) were selected,and were divided into 2 groups.After the cervical trachea (2 cm in length) was removed,the end-to-end anastomosis between the trachea and PTFE artificial trachea was performed in the experimental group (n=20),and end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea in the control group (n=20).The survival of the rabbits was observed after operation;the X-ray,gross,and histological observations were carried out at 2,4,and 6 months after operation.The longitudinal tensile and radial support biomechanical tests were performed before and after transplantation. ResultsThe survival time was more than 2 months and the artificial airway was patency in 15 rabbits of the experimental group;the tissue outside the artificial trachea was like tracheal tissue,which filled in the defect,but it was more than 4 months.X-ray observation showed that the PTFE artificial trachea had no obvious displacement in the experimental group,and no tracheostenosis was observed in the control group.After 2 months,there was no epithelial tissue on the artificial airway wall;after 4 months,there was some epithelial cells on the artificial airway wall,incomplete endothelialization and trachea layer structure were seen with no tracheal ciliated columnar epithelium;after 6 months,the artificial trachea wall was covered with epithelium basically,and some ciliated columnar epithelium cells were found,which had the physiological function of the trachea.The transplanted PTFE artificial trachea could keep the stability of the biological mechanics performance,and could be used for the rabbit tracheal reconstruction. ConclusionPTFE artificial trachea can induce to form a tracheal tissue in the trachea tissues of recipients,each layer of the trachea is relatively complete and the experiment animals can be short-term survival.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of prevention of abdominal hernia in reconstruction of defect of abdominal wall with Gore-tex clinically. METHODS: Six cases of the large defects of abdominal wall were repaired with Gore-tex after surgical removal of abdominal wall tumor. RESULTS: The reconstructed cases were followed up six months to three years and there was no postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: Gore-tex is a reliable and effective biomaterial for reconstruction of the large defect of abdominal wall.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis rhinoplasty for correction of low nose and short columella. MethodsBetween August 2012 and August 2015, modified PTFE prosthesis rhinoplasty was used to correct low nose and short columella in 52 patients. There were 4 males and 48 females, aged 19 to 45 years (mean, 27 years). Primary rhinoplasty was performed in 47 cases; secondary rhinoplasty was performed in 5 cases, and it was 12-18 months from the first operation (mean, 15 months). During operation, a scaly sag ventral side was made by carving and moving cap shaped nose prosthesis was prepared, and nasal dorsumnasal columella prosthesis covered by tension-free flap was designed. At pre-operation and last follow-up, Image ProPlus 6.0 software was used to measure the nose length, nose depth, nose tip width, nostril/nose tip, nasolabial angle, and nasal tip rotation for evaluation of external nose shape correction; and ultrasound was used to measure the alar cartilage angle, alar two vertex distance, and nose tip to vertex distance for evaluation of internal soft tissue changes; the prosthesis position was observed by CT scan at 12 months. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, with no complications. All patients were followed up 7-36 months (mean, 20.4 months). At 12 months after operation, CT scans showed that prosthesis located in the middle of the nose and above nasal bone, septal cartilage and crus mediale cartilaginis alaris majoris in 45 patients; no prosthesis displacement was observed. At last follow-up, image measurement and ultrasound results showed external nose shape parameters (except nostril/nose tip) and internal soft tissue structures were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P < 0.05). ConclusionModified PTFE prosthesis rhinoplasty can effectively correct low nose and short columella, with small surgical trauma and good appearance.
OBJECTIVE In order to investigate the effect of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PT-FE) in repair of facial depression. METHODS From February 1997 to July 1998. The e-PTFE was used as a filling and suspending material for facial depression and facial nerve palsy in 6 cases. They were followed up for 2-16 months. RESULTS After filling of the facial depression, the deformed side of the face became symmetrical to that of contralateral side, and those following the suspending technique using this material the affected eyelids could close completely and the oral corners were symmetrical in its static status. CONCLUSION The expanded PTFE was a safe, biocompatible and easily applied material, especially served as a filling or suspending material in the repair of facial depression with facial nerve palsy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of repair of the extensive bile duct injuries with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). METHODS: A total of 36 local healthy hybrid dogs were employed to establish bile duct injury models by means of partial removal of bile duct (group A, 14 dogs), excision of a segmental duct (group B, 10 dogs), and ligation of the lower part of common bile duct(group C, 5 dogs; group D, 7 dogs). Group A were patched with ePTFE mesh, group B replaced by ePTFE tube. Interposition of the grafts between gallbladder and duedenum or jejunum was performed on group C and group D. The animals’ postoperative performance status were evaluated. Cholangiography was used to define the patency of bile ducts. Tissues of bile ducts and liver were taken at 3 days, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 52 weeks for microscopic and ultrastructural examination to observe the healing process of bile duct and morphological changes in the liver. RESULTS: Group A with ePTFE patch covered by epithelium had a high patency rate of 75%(9/12) and pathological damages were not found in the liver. The patency rate of group B was merely 40%(4/10), to some extent, accompanying damages in the liver. The grafts of group C and group D were fully expelled, ultimately leading to cystic-duodenal or cystic-jejunal fistulas formation. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that application of ePTFE patch to repair bile duct defects is feasible.
Objective To explore the cause and treatment of chronic pain after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia. Methods 〗The clinical data of 426 cases with inguinal hernia underwent the tension-free hernioplasty during February 2002 to September 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Results 〗Tension-free hernioplasty was performed to all patients. According to operative methods, they were divided into two groups: polypropylene filling group (n=210) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) mycromesh group (n=216). The chronic pain rate after operation, polypropylene filling group (9.0%, 19/210) was significantly higher than e-PTFE mycromesh group (4.2%, 9/216)， P＜0.05. Conclusion 〗The tension-free repair by e-PTFE mycromesh has less pain in the inguinal hernia due to the material is more suitable to human physiology, more soft and light, with less complications.
Abstract： Objective To summarize the application experience of Gore-Tex patch in clinical chest wall reconstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 33 patients who underwent chest wall reconstruction using Gore-Tex patch from January 2001 to December 2010 in Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University. There were 19 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 20 to 73 years with a median age of 45.7 years. The surgical strategies included choosing different incisions according to tumor location and size, and preserving normal chest wall soft tissue as much as possible during surgery. Gore-Tex patch was used to reconstruct the huge chest wall defect, and covered by transferred muscle flaps. Results All the 33 patients underwent surgical reconstruction successfully and there was no perioperative death. Complete tumor resection was performed in all the patients, including 25 patients with malignant tumor and 8 patients with benign tumor. The diameter of the resected tumors ranged from 8 to 20 cm. All the patients were followed up from 5 to 60 months, except that 3 patients （9.09%） were lost during follow-up. There was no rejection response, abnormal breathing and foreign body sensation during follow-up. The infection incidence was 3%（1/33）. Conclusion Gore-Tex patch is a safe and effective material for chest wall reconstruction due to its excellent biocompatibility. Appropriate selection of muscle flap for covering Gore-Tex patch can reduce postoperative complications.
OBJECTIVE To compare the permeability and incidence rate of complication of arteriovenous internal fistula made by autogenous, homologous, and artificial Teflon blood vessels. METHODS Two hundred and forty one cases with arteriovenous internal fistula made by autogenous, homologous, and artificial Teflon blood vessels were followed up to compare the permeability and incidence rate of complication at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. RESULTS The incidence rate of complication of autogenous blood vessels was lowest, it had no statistical differences compared with arteriovenous internal fistula made by homologous blood vessels. The permeability of arteriovenous internal fistula made by homologous blood vessels was highest, and it had no statistical differences compared with autogenous blood vessels. The permeability of arteriovenous internal fistula made by artificial Teflon blood vessels was lowest, but the incidence rate of complication was highest, and it had significantly statistical differences compared with arteriovenous internal fistula made by autogenous blood vessels (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION Arteriovenous internal fistulas made by autogenous and homologous blood vessels have high permeability and low incidence rate of complication, they are superior to the arteriovenous internal fistula made by artificial Teflon blood vessels.
Objective To introduce a modified technique of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using a handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve crafted from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and to summarize the early single-center experience. Methods Patients with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) who underwent RVOT reconstruction with a handmade ePTFE bicuspid pulmonary valve due to pulmonary regurgitation at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2021 to February 2022 were selected. Postoperative artificial valve function and right heart function indicators were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with a mean age of (18.18±12.14) years and a mean body weight of (40.94±19.45) kg. Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with a handmade valved conduit, with conduit sizes ranging from 18 to 24 mm. No patients required mechanical circulatory support, and no in-hospital deaths occurred. During a mean follow-up period of 12.89 months, only one patient developed valve dysfunction, and no related complications or adverse events were observed. The degree of pulmonary regurgitation was significantly improved post-RVOT reconstruction and during follow-up compared to preoperative levels (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area were all significantly reduced compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Conclusion The use of a 0.1 mm ePTFE handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve for RVOT reconstruction in complex CHD is a feasible, effective, and safe technique.