History of prosthetic grafts

The evolution of vascular surgery during the past five decades has established what was once controversial to be mandate, what was never dreamed of as debatable, and the vast body of knowledge yet to be unraveled - but requiring clinical application - as currently controversial. Controversy results when dissimilar therapies yield comparable outcomes, despite having been reached by different pathways. Scientific methods to dissect the precise mechanisms of cause/effect, and not reliance on associations, are necessary to resolve controversies that may contribute to inappropriate conclusions. Much effort has been expended by vascular surgeons in the search for an ideal vascular conduit. This edition of Seminars explores the status, past, present, and future, of a variety of graft materials. Future modifications and availability of the 'ideal graft' will evolve as challenges are met.