Reconstruction of the vena cava with the peritoneum

Background: Reconstruction of the vena cava with an autologous vein requires extra incisions. Prosthetic material is associated with an increased risk of infection. We therefore created an animal model of vena cava reconstruction using the peritoneum. Methods: A 2.5 × 2.5 cm piece of peritoneum was resected from 7 pigs weighing 30 to 40 kg. An oval window (long axis: 1.5 cm) was made in the infrarenal vena cava. This was repaired with the peritoneal patch fixed in alcohol. Results: In 2 animals sacrificed at 5 hours, there was no evidence of thrombosis, but there was fibrin clot on the patches. Two animals sacrificed on day 8 exhibited excellent patency of the vena cava. Complete endothelialization of the patch was noted at day 15. At 6 weeks, the vena cava was healed. No infections or other problems were noted.