Renal transplantation in the rabbit: a model for preservation studies

Transplantation is necessary for evaluation of kidney preservation procedures, and a model using a small laboratory animal is desirable. The rabbit was found to be a suitable animal for this purpose. Even long periods of anaesthesia without artificial respiration were safely achieved. Hydration and serum electrolytes could be maintained within normal ranges with intravenous injections of isotonic saline and dextrose during and after the operation. The kidneys were implanted by anastomosing the artery and vein end-to-side to the abdominal aorta and the posterior vena cava respectively. The ureter was implanted into the bladder over a nylon stent. In a recent 100 transplantations the incidence of vascular thrombosis was low (4%), but rather more (10%) mainly late ureteral complications were encountered. Transplanted kidneys showed good function with mean peak serum creatinines of 285 mumol/l and normal macroscopic and histological appearance at autopsy.