Twelve bilateral skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) were constructed in six dogs by wrapping each latissimus dorsi muscle around a cylindrical, plastic mandrel (volume 30 cc). After 6 to 10 weeks, five dogs had one of their SMVs seeded with allogeneic cultured canine endothelial cells (8 x 10(6) cells/pouch) via an open technique, whil the contralateral SMV was seeded by percutaneous injection of cells into the space around the mandrel. After 1 week, the SMVs were excised. Viable, adherent endothelial cells were present in all seeded pouches; this was confirmed via fluorescent microscopy with several endothelial cell markers; KLH-2, dilacetylated low-density lipoprotein and antibodies to von Willebrand factor. The inner lining of the SMVs were also examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy; the highest concentration of cells were seen at the apex where a continuous endothelial monolayer was observed. No significant difference in the distribution or the morphology of the endothelial lining was noted between the open and percutaneous seeding techniques. These data show that SMVs can be seeded with an endothelial monolayer using both open and percutaneous techniques.