An ex vivo model for reperfusion of laryngotracheal grafts.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development of an ex vivo model to facilitate the study of ischemia-reperfusion injury in laryngotracheal grafts taken from Minnesota minipigs.


METHODS
This is a descriptive study.


METHODS
Laryngotracheal grafts from Minnesota minipigs were harvested and placed in cold storage for 3 hours. Autologous blood was used to reperfuse the graft for up to 8 hours using the described reperfusion model.


RESULTS
By altering retrieval technique and pressures within the graft, we demonstrated healthy grafts after 8 hours of reperfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Ex vivo reperfusion offers a range of experimental advantages over in vivo reperfusion including close control of interventions, ease of outcome measurement, and reduction in animal use. This model is now ready to be used for further studies of interventions to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in these grafts.
Barker
Emma
E
Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. emmabarker@doctors.org.uk
Macchiarini
Paolo
P
Murison
Pamela
P
Jones
Alan
A
Haverson
Karin
K
Bailey
Mick
M
Birchall
Martin
M
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007830:Larynx / Q000637:transplantation*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D023421:Models, Animal; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009929:Organ Size; D010106:Oxygenators; D012034:Refrigeration; D015424:Reperfusion / Q000379:methods; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013997:Time Factors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014132:Trachea / Q000637:transplantation*
D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions