A modified technique of renal artery anastomosis in rat kidney transplantation.

AIMS

To reduce warm ischemic time and avoid irreversible damage to the graft in rat kidney transplantation.

METHODS

After left nephrectomy, recipients were transplanted with syngeneic kidney grafts using microsurgical techniques. In control rats (n = 20), the renal artery anastomoses were performed with 8-9 interrupted sutures by the conventional technique. In experimental animals (n = 20), a modified anastomosis was performed using fewer (5-6) sutures and fibrin glue devoid of thrombin.

RESULTS

The number of sutures in the control group was 8.09 + or - 0.35 while that in the experimental group was 5.65 + or - 0.48 (p < 0.01). The warm ischemic time reduced from 29.7 + or - 1.1 min in the control group to 23.9 + or - 0.9 min in the experimental group (p < 0.01). These anastomoses maintained adequate patency rates and mechanical strength. Up to 21 days after operation, the graft survival rates in the experimental and control groups were 90 and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our modified technique for renal artery anastomosis significantly reduced the warm ischemic time in rat kidney transplantation. This technique would be a safe and reliable method for rat renal artery anastomosis as well as for other microarterial anastomoses, particularly for novice surgeons.