Combined carotid arteries-aortic arch transplantation in rats: development of a new microsurgical model

A new microsurgical model of combined carotid arteries-aortic arch transplantation in the rat is described. In this model, the combined carotid arteries-aortic arch were harvested and end-to-end anastomosed to the recipient's right carotid artery using a sleeve anastomosis technique. The total graft ischemia time and in particular the time required to perform the arterial anastomoses was significantly reduced. No surgical failure was encountered. Ten-day graft patency was 100% (15/15). Our study results demonstrated that the sleeve anastomosis technique for combined carotid arteries-aortic arch transplantation in the rat is fast and easy to perform and has a high rate of success.