The Fate of Implanted BioBridgetm Collagen Matrix - Findings in Histology, Scanning, and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

ABSTRACT

The technique of lymphangioplasty or capillary thread drainage was historically performed with subcutaneously implanted surgical threads. It has recently been revived by introducing a thread-like aligned nanofibrillar collagen matrix (BioBridgetm). These collagen threads consitute subcutaneous neocollectors along which guided lymphangiogenesis is said to occur secondarily. We present for the first time a tissue examination of a 10-month implanted BioBridgetm sample with surrounding tissue from a human subject by histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.