Gastroepiploic Artery Preservation with Glycerol as a Training Model for Microvascular Anastomosis.

Park, Chan Young; Chang, Hak; Chung, Jin Haeng; Heo, Eun Ju; Minn, Kyung Won; Yoo, Moon Won; Yang, Han Kwang

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Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2008;35(5):626-629.
Published online September 1, 2008.

Gastroepiploic Artery Preservation with Glycerol as a Training Model for Microvascular Anastomosis.

Chan Young Park, Hak Chang, Jin Haeng Chung, Eun Ju Heo, Kyung Won Minn, Moon Won Yoo, Han Kwang Yang

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hchang@snu.ac.kr
²Department of Pathology, Research Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
³Department of Surgery, Research Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigate the possibility of vessel preservation with glycerol and evaluate the potential of preserved gastroepiploic artery as a tool for the microsurgical practice. METHODS: In 5 early gastric cancer patients, IRB(No. C-0603-040-170), we gained gastroepiploic artery specimens(5 segments, about 10cm) after gastrectomy. Each segment was rinsed in a normal saline and subsequently placed in a bottle, containing 50mL anhydrous glycerol (87%). The bottles were refrigerated at 4degrees C, the longest preservation time being 5 months.
RESULTS
At first glance, no fragmentation was detected and the surface of vessel seemed mild sclerotic. In histological examination, vascular structures remained intact though preservation with glycerol led to a mild atrophy of the smooth muscle in the tunica media. Especially, we found out the elastic fibers and endothelial lining of the intima were preserved until 5 months. Adequate status for using microsurgical practice was also maintained and leakage test was performed successfully with gentian violet ink.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results obtained in this study, the gastroepiploic artery preservation with glycerol as a training model for microvascular anastomosis is a technically very simple procedure and useful for the novice microsurgeon.

Keywords: Gastroepiploic artery; Vessel preservation; Glycerol; Microvascular anastomosis

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