title: Comparing five simple vascular storage protocols.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aim to find a storage protocol for vessels that preserves their dimensional, histologic, and mechanical characteristics to facilitate reproducible anastomosis experiments and microsurgical training with constant quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared stored rabbit aortas, harvested in a slaughterhouse, using five different protocols with fresh controls. Aortas were preserved for 125 d in (1) NaCl 0.9% at -18°C, (2) Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 90% with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (RPMI/DMSO) at -18°C, (3) RPMI/DMSO at -70°C, (4) glycerol 85% at 4°C, and (5) glycerol in stepwise increased concentrations until 85% at 4°C. After preservation, we measured vessel diameter, wall thickness, and Young's Modulus indicating stiffness. Neurosurgeons compared stored vessels with fresh vessels, blinded for preservation subgroup. We performed histologic assessment blinded for preservation subgroup.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fresh rabbit aortas showed a mean diameter of 2.65 ± 0.14 mm, a mean wall thickness of 126 ± 22 μm, and a Young's Modulus of 11.4 ± 2.4 N/mm(2). NaCl 0.9%-preserved aortas showed a significantly increased vessel diameter and decreased stiffness. RPMI/DMSO-preserved aortas showed no significant differences from fresh aortas in dimensions and mechanical characteristics. Glycerol-preserved tissue showed a significant increase in wall thickness, a related significant decrease in diameter, and increase in stiffness. Neurosurgeons regarded RPMI/DMSO tissue as most comparable with fresh tissue. Histologic assessment revealed no differences between the different protocols and fresh control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Storage of rabbit aortas in RPMI/DMSO most adequately preserves their dimensional and mechanical properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: T.vandoormaal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tristan P C
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: van Doormaal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jurren H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sluijs
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aryan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cornelis A F
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tulleken
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Zwan
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005990:Glycerol; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide
keywords: Cryopreservation; DMSO; Glycerol; Microsurgical training; Preservation; RPMI; Rabbit aorta; Vessels