Triplex vascular prostheses elongation in post-operative course

Abstract

Triplex (Terumo Corp, Tokyo, Japan) is a relatively new vascular protheses with a non-biodegradable coating material. We experienced two cases of graft elongation in Triplex grafts post-operatively. In one of the cases, the graft elongation led to occlusion of the left subclavian artery. In the other case, the graft elongation resulted in a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta. A unique feature of Triplex grafts is that they may reduce post-operative inflammation reaction; however, they could also invite a limited adhesion formation with the surrounding tissue, which contribute to prostheses elongation, due to a lack of prostheses stability and fixation. A careful observation based on the feature of implanted protheses is required.

Keywords: Triplex; graft elongation; post-operative management; thoracic aortic surgery; vascular prosthesis.