Experimental Hind Limb & Inguinal-Femur Osteocutaneous Flap Model in Rats for Composite Tissue Transplantation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) is a newly raised field as a treatment of severe body disfigurements. But in the point that it is transplant of functional organ not vital organ, it has limitation of using immunosuppressant for lifetime. Therefore, recent studies on CTA are focused on the reduction of risk of immunosuppression by inducing immunotolerance, developing new regimen and so on. So, appropriate experimental models to solve the problems are needed. We have performed CTA experiment using hind limb of rats which is frequently used CTA animal model. There were many trials and errors when actually conducting experiment. Hence the authors are to state the experiences in our own experiments. METHODS: Total 13 Sprague Dawley rats (SD rats) were used. In 10 rats, hind limb allotransplantation were performed and in 3 rats, inguinal-femur osteocutanoeus flap operation were conducted. RESULTS: Out of total 13 rats, on the day of operation 4 rats died, and 1dayafter operation 2 rats died. The remainder 7 rats were euthanized on the 3rd day after operation. Autophagy occurred in 3 rats. The dead experimental models were experienced in the early stage of study. CONCLUSION: We could increase survival rate through appropriate anesthesia, maintaining body temperature, supplement of water and pain control.