Use of Human Placentas for Practice of Microvascular Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Microsurgical exercise has been performed with rat femoral vessels. But, it needs animal laboratory, anesthesia and its keeping facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten human placentas were studied for suitability in a microvascular exercise. The size and useful length of vessels were measured, and various microvascular anastomoses were performed. RESULT: The human placenta has many vessels traversing its fetal surface. A variety of sizes are available down to vessels of diameter 1 mm and up to vessels of diameter 6.5 mm (1.0<artery<5.3 mm, 2.4<vein<6.5 mm). Selection of suitable vessels can provide a vessel that can be satisfactorily used for microsurgical practice. The size of the placenta vessels compared well with reported sizes of digital vessels. CONCLUSION: We suggest the use of human placenta as complemetary to experimental animals in microvascular training. Where other preparations are not available, the human placenta appears to offer a reasonable, cheep and readily available alternative.