Purpose: This study aimed to introduce and evaluate two new microvascular anastomosis techniques compared to the conventional method in a rat renal transplant model.
Methods: Using a Fisher-to-Lewis rat kidney transplantation model, the renal artery anastomosis was performed using the interrupted (I) suture technique, Y-shaped continuous (Y) suture technique, and anterior-interrupted and posterior-continuous (I-C) suture technique. The rats were then divided into three groups: I group, Y group, and I-C group. Parameters such as arterial anastomosis time, warm ischemia time, seven-day survival rate of the rats, and vessel histopathology were assessed.
Results: The mean arterial anastomosis time, blood leakage scores, and warm ischemia time were significantly reduced in groups Y and I-C compared to group I. Moreover, the seven-day survival rate was significantly higher in the I-C group compared to the other two groups. Arterial histopathology demonstrated vessel wall recovery without damage in all three groups, suggesting the safety of both Y and I-C techniques.
Conclusions: The anterior-interrupted and posterior-continuous suture method is particularly beneficial for small artery reconstruction in organ transplantation.