Ultrarapid nonsuture mated cuff technique for renal transplantation in rabbits.

An effective and ultrarapid technique for kidney transplantation in the rabbit is introduced. Vascular anastomosis was completed using a novel cuff technique in which mating cuffs were used to join the delicate renal vein. The ureter was reconstructed by spatulated end-to-end anastomosis, with special attention to the rabbit's unique ureteral vascular anatomy. The total vascular anastomosis time was 3.4 +/- 1.3 min, and there were no episodes of bleeding or thrombosis. The ureter complication rate was 7.3%. Kidneys transplanted after 5 h of cold storage using the new technique yielded better postoperative creatinine results than similar preserved kidneys transplanted using previously described methods. We suggest this technique for studies of long- and short-term kidney preservation and transplantation in the rabbit, as well as for veterinary transplantation in which donor kidneys must be stored for only a short time before use. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:369-373 2003