Microvascular surgery after severe contusion of the femoral artery in rats.

Thirty three rats were subjected to severe contusion of the femoral region by a heavy falling object. The injury was directed towards the palpated femoral vessels in a standard way as described in a previous study. One hour after the injury microvascular surgery was performed on the damaged part of the femoral artery. In 17 animals the artery was transected at the centre of the injured part. The ends were then anastomosed without resection. In the remaining 16 animals the damaged part of the artery was resected and a long arterial graft taken from the opposite, uninjured leg was substituted. Postoperatively the animals were observed for two hours. Arterial patency was evaluated immediately after injury, at the end of operation and after one and two hours. After the animals had been killed, transverse sections of the damaged arteries from 28 of the 33 were examined by light microscopy. Signs of severe contusion was found in 82% of the specimens. The overall number of injured arteries was 97%. The patency rate after transection treated by direct suture was 71%, and after resection and vascular grafting it was 100%.