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 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.
ObjectiveTo explore the result of of modified artificial chordae technique and annuloplasty in mitral valvuloplasty for mitral leaflet prolapse. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 112 patients underwent mitral valve repair with artificial chordae (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, ePTFE) and annuloplasty in our hospital from January 2006 through June 2014.There were 69 males and 43 females at age of 5-73 (51.4±14.4) years.The double-armed ePTFE chordae was fixed at papillary muscle head using U shaped suture without pledget and passed through the prolapsing portion of leaflet twice.Then, annuloplasty was performed and correct chordal length was adjusted.After that, the chordae was passed through prolapsing scallop one more time and tied. ResultsAverage of 2.4±0.7 (range from 1 to 3) ePTFE artificial chordaes were implanted in each patient.Intra-operative transthoracic echocardiography showed no mitral regurgitation (MR) in 78 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 34 patients.At discharge, no MR was in 72 patients, trivial MR in 39 patients, and mild MR in 1 patient.At end of follow-up of 41.5±24.8 months, moderate MR was in 3 patients.The freedom from moderate or severe regurgitation at 5 years after mitral valve repair was 95.1%±3.0%. ConclusionThis modified artificial chordae technique and annuloplasty are safe, simple, and effective in mitral valvuloplasty for mitral leaflet prolapsed.And the early and long-term results are satisfactory.
Objective To modify the sewing technique of a hand-made bicuspid pulmonary valve using the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction for summarizing the short-term experience. Methods The patients with complex congenital heart diseases and concurrent contaminant pulmonary regurgitation that underwent right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction through the bicuspid pulmonary valve were enrolled. The postoperative artificial valve function and right ventricle function indexes were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were collected, including 10 males and 7 females, with an average age of 18.18 years and an average weight of 40.94 kg. Of 17 patients, 16 used valved conduit for the reconstruction of the right ventricle outflow tract with the size ranging from 18 to 24 mm. There was no patient requiring mechanical circulatory support and no in-hospital death. During the follow-up with a mean period of 12.89 months, only one vale dysfunction occurred without any complications and adverse events (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrium diameter, right ventricle diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area significantly decreased in contrast to those preoperatively (P<0.05). Conclusion Sewing the bicuspid pulmonary valve utilizing 0.1 mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is a feasible, effective, and safe technique of right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction in the field of complex congenital heart diseases.