Alcohol-preserved homografts. Long-term results in three cases.

Abstract

Introduction Kimoto et al.1were among the first to point out the feasibility of the clinical application of alcohol-preserved homografts. They reported three cases in which the homografts used were preserved in pure alcohol and three cases in which the homografts used were preserved in 70% alcohol. Two cases of aortic aneurysm treated by resection and grafting, with use of aortic homografts preserved in alcohol were reported. One of the aortic grafts had been followed for a period of one year, the other for a period of only three months. At the present time, vascular prostheses made of synthetic materials are preferable to homografts; however, aortic homografts do have certain advantages. The visceral branches, such as the renals, superior mesenteric, and celiac axis, are present. Also, homografts are technically easier to handle. The disadvantages associated with the use of homografts have been enumerated, and they are (1) difficulty in