GEFASSQUALITAT VERSCHIEDENER MIKROCHIRURGISCHER TRANSPLANTATE. EINE HISTOLOGISCHE STUDIE

In 68 cadavers with a mean age of 69.2 years, the vascular pedicles of seven common transplants as well as the superior thyroid artery were bilaterally removed and examined for their degree of damage. In 544 specimens, the findings were classified into the following groups: Group 0 (normal): 71 vessels; group 1 (slight changes): 325; group 2 (moderate changes): 98; and group 3 (severe changes): 50 vessels; agreement of the findings in the bilateral comparison was 91%. Normal findings could primarily be observed in the superior thyroid arteries, the thoracodorsalis and circumflex arteries of the scapula and first degree damage in the aforementioned arteries as well as in the radial, deep circumflex iliac and superior mesenteric arteries. Moderate vessel damage was primarily found in the superior mesenteric and peroneal artery as well as the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and severe arteriosclerotic changes in the peroneal artery and the descending branch. Vessel damage was generally more pronounced in men than in women.