[Experimental "functional amputate model" in ischemia-reperfusion]

Limb amputation and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) after trauma is a serious challenge, though there are few laboratory parameters that are available to predict the prognosis. It is even less so when possible adverse effects of preventive cooling may also influence the clinical outcome. We performed an experimental model earlier on mongrel dogs to investigate the local and systemic effects of cooled and non-cooled limb I/R. In this paper we describe the model and summarize the informative laboratory results. In the warm I/R group the femoral vessels were separately clamped for 3 hours, while steel-loop tourniquet for 7 hours was performed under the femoral vessels around the thigh. After ischemia releasing the clamps provided reperfusion for 4 hours then the steel-loop was removed. In the cooled I/R group similar procedure was performed but with cooling by ice bags. Cooled and non-cooled sham-operated groups also were used. Before operations, during the reperfusion and for 5 days blood samples were collected then haematology and chemistry parameters were determined. Blood rheology and certain coagulation factors were significantly different between the cool and non-cool ischemia-reperfusion groups, furthermore, the changes were also significant compared to sham-operated animals, suggesting that these parameters may be useful in the prognosis.