Abstract

Utility of bionanocellulose 1 in reconstruction of the thoracic aorta: An in vivo animal study

Author(s): Magdalena Kolaczkowska, Maciej M Kowalik, Waclaw Zajac, Paulina Dederko-Kantowicz, Hanna Staroszczyk, Andrzej Borman, Paulina Palczynska, Grzegorz Jablonski, Aldona Dluga, Rafal Peksa, Michal Bienkowski, Piotr Siondalski

The aim of this research was to demonstrate the utility of Bacterial Nanocellulose 1 (BNC1) as a new biological material for aortic reconstruction. This paper presents the results of the implantation of aortic prostheses sewn from BNC1 in pigs as a largeanimal model. A fragment of the descending aorta was excised and reconstructed from BNC1 in 16 pigs. Postoperative observations were carried out for 6 months, including assessment of the animals’ general condition and a list of inflammation blood tests. None of the six inflammatory blood parameters was elevated. After 6 months, all the animals were sacrificed. The reconstructed aorta along with the BNC1 prosthesis were excised and underwent macroscopic, histological, and physicochemical evaluation. BNC1 was found to possess features that qualify it as a biological aortic prosthetic material: Excellent surgical suitability and biocompatibility.