Published in:
01-06-2013 | Experimental Study
A simpler rat kidney transplantation model: a variation in arterial anastomotic technique
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 6/2013
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Background
The rat kidney transplant (KTx) became a classic experimental model for training purposes in general microsurgical techniques. We present a modified version of the arterial ‘sleeve’ (telescoping) anastomotic technique.
Methods
A cohort of rat kidney transplants executed with this modified anastomotic technique was audited for execution times, long-term graft survival and complications.
Results
The series comprises 70 KTx carried out by one microsurgeon. The average warm ischaemic time was 25.75 ± 3.8 min, with an arterial anastomotic time of 10.82 ± 3.85 min. It decreased to less than 30 min (cut-off for long-term graft damage) after nine transplants. The long-term survival rate was 94.3 %, with no complication in the surviving group; the deaths were due to haemorrhage (1.42 %) and ureteric dehiscence (4.28 %).
Conclusions
Telescoping the renal artery delivers good results with a faster, less laborious technique, making it a useful addition to the experimental surgery laboratory. By contrasting our results with reported series, we demonstrate that the model can make the rat kidney transplant accessible for a wider variety of scientists.