Transplantation of both kidneys from one donor rat using end-to-end vascular anastomosis in normal saline

End-to-end vascular anastomosis in the 0.9% NaCl solution was compared with conventional end-to-end vascular anastomosis in the model rat, with two kidneys from one donor rat harvested and transplanted to two recipient rats.

Two methods of suturing renal walls were used. In group A, the conventional end-to-end anastomosis was performed, where one person stitched veinous walls while the other washed them using the normal saline (n = 20). In group B, end-to-end anastomosis of renal vein walls was performed in 0.9% NaCl solution (n = 20).

In the normal saline, the renal vein walls naturally extended and separated and the edges of the renal veins were revealed. In group B, the operation time and overall complication rate of suturing were reduced (P < .001).

This is the first report of end-to-end vascular anastomosis in the normal saline in the model of rat kidney transplantation. This method, which does not require any special instruments, is fast, safe, and needs only one surgeon to perform the renal vascular suturing, and may be applied to other transplantation models.