Reconstruction of the Vena Cava with the Peritoneum: The Effect of Temporary Distal Arteriovenous Fistula on Patency (An Experimental Study)

AbstractObjective: To determine the effect of increasing inferior vena cava blood flow by means of distal arteriovenous fistula on the patency of a peritoneal tube graft.Materials and methods: In 16 mongrel dogs, a 3–4 cm long circular defect was created at the infrarenal inferior vena cava. The defect was interposed with peritoneal tube graft. A temporary distal femoro-femoral arteriovenous fistula was also constructed in 8 dogs just after the caval interposition. Graft patency was evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography and angiography. Histological evaluation was also performed.Results: Seven dogs in each group survived. All control grafts occluded within the first week, compared to no occlusions in fistula group (Fisher's exact test, p