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Updated: May 23, 2026
Orthotopic Hind Limb Transplantation in the Mouse
Published on: February 12, 2016
Hemiface allotransplantation in the mouse
Robert Sucher1, Cheng-Hung Lin, Rupert Oberhuber
1Innsbruck, Austria; Baltimore, Md.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Taipei, Taiwan From the Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery, D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, and the Department of Pathology, Innsbruck Medical University; the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University.
Researchers developed a novel mouse hemiface allotransplantation model for studying vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation. This technique allows for investigation into transplant rejection and nerve regeneration in reconstructive surgery.
Area of Science:
- Surgical innovation
- Transplantation immunology
- Microsurgery
Background:
- Rat models are common for vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (TCA).
- Mice offer advantages for TCA research.
- A novel mouse hemiface transplantation technique was needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe a novel mouse hemiface allotransplantation model.
- To establish a platform for studying TCA immunology and nerve regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Developed a microsurgical technique for mouse hemiface transplantation.
- Orthotopic transplantation of myocutaneous hemiface grafts with vascular pedicles.
- Revascularization using recipient common carotid artery and external jugular vein anastomosis via a non-suture cuff technique.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high success rate (78%) after an initial learning curve.
- Syngeneic grafts showed long-term survival (>100 days) with normal histology.
- Allogeneic grafts exhibited rejection within 14 days, mirroring human face transplant rejection patterns.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first mouse hemiface allotransplantation model.
- The model is suitable for investigating basic immunology, rejection mechanisms, and nerve regeneration in reconstructive transplantation.
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