Use of cryopreserved rat arteries for microsurgical training.

Silastic tubes are used as training material for performing microvascular anastomoses. However, silastic texture differs from that of actual blood vessels. In the present work, we evaluate the use of preserved rat arterial segments for training in microvascular anastomoses. One-centimeter-long rat arterial segments were obtained from femoral, carotid, and abdominal arteries, preserved in cold saline solution, and frozen. Trainees performed microvascular anastomoses using the aforementioned material and answered questions about texture, consistency, and wall resistance to the needle, comparing preserved arterial wall and silastic tubes. They were also asked whether the arterial pedicles had a consistency and texture similar to normal vessels, and if they were a more reliable method for practicing microsurgery techniques than synthetic materials. They preferred frozen arterial pedicles over silastic tubes. We conclude that arterial cadaveric segments are a suitable biologic material for microsurgical training. Since they can be obtained from other experiments, this is an effective way to reduce the number of animals bred and sacrificed for teaching purposes. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.