Application and research of UW solution in replantation of rat limb

Abstract

Objective To explore the application of UW solution in the replantation of the rat limb, and to explore a simple method for the ideal preservation of the amputated limbs. Methods From September, 2017 to Janurary, 2018, one hundred and twenty healthy adult male SD rats, weight 320-350 g, were randomly divided into 8 groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H group. The isolated limbs of the control group A, C, E, G were cryopreserved in refrigerator at 4 °C, while those of the experiment group B, D, F, H were preserved under the same condition after being perfused with UW solution. All the severed limbs were replanted back to the rats after different time length of cry opreservation: A, B 12 hours, C, D 20 hours, E, F 28 hours and G, H 36 hours. During the operations the femoral artery and venous patency were detected immediately after anastomosis. And after the operations the survival rates of limb replantation were observed. On the third day after the limb replantation, the tibial posterior muscle tissue was examined for pathology. The cell areas in pathological photographs were compared with Image analysis software Image-pro Plus 6.0 and the ultra structural changes of skeletal muscle tissue were observed. Results The femoral artery and venous patency in experiment group A, C, E and control group B, D, F were all 100 percent. However, in the group G, H the severed limb vessels changed obviously, the patency dropped markedly and the survival rates of limb replantation turned out to be 0. The experiment groups perfused with UW solutions, had relatively higher survival rates compared with the control groups (12 h: 93.33% vs. 53.33%, 20 h: 80.00% vs. 40.00%,28 h: 53.33% vs. 13.33%) and the skeletal muscles edema was lighter than that of the control group, with a larger proportion of cell areas(12 h: 69.49±8.57 vs. 44.75±6.34, 20 h: 56.34±7.73 vs. 36.69±5.74, 28 h: 45.76±8.23 vs. 31.49±7.72). There was a significantly difference(P<0.05). Electron microscope observation showed that the experiment group bore a lighter damage of myofibril, interstitial tissue and mitochondria compared with the control group. Conclusion The combination of UW solution and cryopreservation of organs is an ideal and proper way to preserve the amputation limb, to extend the time limit for replantation, and to achieve a better recovery effect of postoperative limb function. Besides, UW solution is easy to be promoted in the treatment of isolated limb in clinical work. Key words: UW solution; Skeletal; Organ preservation; Replantation of severed limbs; Rat