Microvascular anastomosis using loupes and smartphone magnification: Experimental study for application to limited-resource environments.

Finger revascularization has been performed without a microscope in limited-resource environments only when absolutely necessary. This experimental study sought to assess the feasibility of microvascular anastomosis in rats performed using loupes or smartphone magnification. Thirty rats were divided into three groups of 10 individuals according to the magnification method used: operating microscope (control group M), surgical loupes (group L) and smartphone (group S). The infrarenal aorta was dissected under a microscope, then anastomosed by interrupted sutures using the group-specific magnifying device. The main analytical criteria were vessel diameter, anastomosis duration, immediate flow patency (T0), patency after one hour (T1) and anastomosis quality. Anastomosis duration was comparable between groups M and L, but was twice as long in group S. The number of leaks at clamp removal was higher in group S. Patency rates at T0 and T1 were 100% in groups M and L, but were significantly lower in group S. The anastomosis quality was low in group L and poor in group S. Anastomosis of digital arteries using loupes is possible, but the resulting quality is lower than with a microscope. Current smartphones are not adequate for performslt ing microvascular repairs in a living model.

Impact of lactation length and piglet weaning weight on long-term growth and viability of progeny.

A total of 1,034 pigs produced by breeding PIC sows to 2 different PIC terminal sires were used to create 3 distinct weaning weight populations so that postweaning growth to 125 kg could be studied. The rearing strategies resulted in BW that ranged from 4.1 to 11.5 kg by 20 d of age. Sows and corresponding litters were allocated to 3 treatments: sow reared (SR; n = 367) for 20 d, sow reared for 14 d (14W; n = 330), and sow reared for 2 d (2W; n = 337). Sows were removed from 2W and 14W groups, but progeny remained in the crates and received milk replacer ad libitum (for 18 and 6 d, respectively) until the contemporary SR pigs were weaned at 20 d of age. The SR pigs (6.49 +/- 0.15 kg) weighed 1.01 kg less than 14W pigs (7.5 +/- 0.14 kg) and 2.26 kg less than 2W pigs (8.75 +/- 0.14 kg; P < 0.05). The 14W pigs weighed 1.25 kg less than 2W pigs (P < 0.05). Nursery ADG for the 2W group (547 g/d) was 35 g/d less (P < 0.05) than 14W pigs. The 14W pigs (165 d) required 3 fewer (P < 0.05) days to reach 125 kg of BW compared with SR pigs. The SR and 14W pigs gained BW 24 and 20 g/d faster (P < 0.05) in the postnursery period when compared with 2W pigs. The SR and 2W pigs consumed 0.10 and 0.12 kg/d less (P < 0.05) during this period when compared with 14W pigs (2.32 kg/d). Gain:feed of SR was improved (P < 0.05) when compared with the 14W and 2W pigs over 167 d of age (0.44 vs. 0.42 and 0.42, respectively). Lean percentage was 0.7% greater (P < 0.05) in carcasses from SR pigs (55.0%) compared with carcasses from 2W pigs (54.3%) when adjusted to a constant HCW. A study of the effect of weaning weight on days to 125 kg was limited to SR and 14W groups because maternal deprivation compromised the 2W group postweaning growth. Six weaning-weight groups were defined using a normal distribution: 4.6, 5.5, 6.4, 7.3, 8.2, and 9.5 kg. Pigs weighing 5.5 kg at 20 d of age were able to reach 125 kg 8 d sooner (168.8 d) than those weighing 4.6 kg (176.8 d). There was a linear relationship (P < 0.05) between weaning weight and ADG in the postnursery phase of growth. We conclude that 1) a weaning weight of less than 5.0 kg imposes the greatest marginal loss in production output for a 20-d weaning and 2) lactation length influences long-term growth, composition of growth, and viability of progeny.

A new free flap model in the rat: the pectoralis major muscle.

We have designed a rat pectoralis muscle free flap transplant at the level of the pubis. The first choice of arterial pedicle was the thoraco-acromial artery at the level of its branching from the axillary artery. The venous pedicle was the thoraco-acrominal vein. This first technique was attempted on six rats with several failures due to the small diameter of the axillary artery. For this reason, we were obliged to use the axillary vessels. This new technique was performed in 10 rats with positive results in nine cases. The new transplantation of the pectoralis major muscle flap with nerve may be attempted.

[Tracheal anastomosis: monofilament absorbable suture versus monofilament non-absorbable suture. Experimental study in rats]. / Anastomose trachéale: fil monofilament résorbable versus non résorbable. Etude expérimentale chez le rat.

OBJECTIVES: When tracheal stenosis is symptomatic, the treatment may consist of surgical resection and anastomosis. A multifilament absorbable suture is usually used. The aim of this experimental work on rats was to study the benefits of using a monofilament absorbable suture with high initial resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared Ethilon, a nylon monofilament non-absorbable suture (MNA), with Monocryl, a polyglecaprone 25 (P25) monofilament absorbable suture (MA). The sutures were used for tracheal anastomosis on 16 rats. P25 has a high initial strength but its intra-tissular disappearance is fast. Animals were killed at 1, 2 and 3 months. Anastomoses were studied by optical microscopy and histological analysis. RESULTS: At 3 months no disunity or stenosis was seen with the MA. With the MNA, a modification of the tracheal transverse section and a stenosis were observed. The histological examination showed an initial important inflammatory cell reaction with the MA and at 3 months, a surgery-free like tracheal aspect. At 3 months the rats with MNA had a persistent foreign body cell reaction. CONCLUSION: Good results obtained by using P25 could be due to high initial resistance of the suture protecting the anastomosis. The semi-fast absorption of the suture avoided persistent inflammatory cell reaction. Confirmation of these results by working on larger animals and tracheal anastomosis under tension could allow the use of this suture on human beings, in this instance.