Ultrarapid nonsuture mated cuff technique for renal transplantation in rabbits

An effective and ultrarapid technique for kidney transplantation in the rabbit is introduced. Vascular anastomosis was completed using a novel cuff technique in which mating cuffs were used to join the delicate renal vein. The ureter was reconstructed by spatulated end‐to‐end anastomosis, with special attention to the rabbit's unique ureteral vascular anatomy. The total vascular anastomosis time was 3.4 ± 1.3 min, and there were no episodes of bleeding or thrombosis. The ureter complication rate was 7.3%. Kidneys transplanted after 5 h of cold storage using the new technique yielded better postoperative creatinine results than similar preserved kidneys transplanted using previously described methods. We suggest this technique for studies of long‐ and short‐term kidney preservation and transplantation in the rabbit, as well as for veterinary transplantation in which donor kidneys must be stored for only a short time before use. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:369–373 2003