Rat whole-limb viability after cold immersion using University of Wisconsin and Euro-Collins solutions

The purpose of this study was to compare University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with Euro-Collins (EC) solution in their cold preservation effects on rat limbs. Thirty-six Lewis rat limbs were preserved in EC solution (n=18) or UW solution (n=18) at 4 degrees C for 72 hr, and grafted orthotopically to a syngeneic rat using microsurgical techniques. The surgeon was blinded to the solution used. We evaluated the vascular patency rate and death rate of both groups at day 7 after surgery and performed histological evaluations of bone, muscle, growth plate, and articular cartilage for each specimen of successful grafts in both groups. The vascular patency rates of the EC and UW groups were 27.7% (5/18) and 11% (2/18), respectively, and showed no significant difference. The death rates of the EC and UW groups were 50% (9/18) and 60% (10/18), which were not significantly different. There were no clear differences in histological viability between both groups, in all tissues exclusive of bone marrow and muscle tissue. Our results showed that in comparing EC and UW solutions, one was not significantly superior to the other as a cold immersion storage medium after a 72 hr ischemia-induced reperfusion injury.