Taking the Next Step: a Neural Coaptation Orthotopic Hind Limb Transplant Model to Maximize Functional Recovery in RatFeibo Zheng 1,3, Andy Tully 1,2, Kyle M Koss 1, Xiaomin Zhang 1, Longhui Qiu 1, Jiao-Jing Wang 1, Bilal A Naved 1,4, David Z Ivancic 1, James M Mathew 1, Jason A Wertheim 1, Zheng Jenny Zhang 1
1Comprehensive Transplant Center and Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 3Department of Surgery, Tianjin Occupational Diseases Precaution and Therapeutic Hospital, 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University
This protocol presents a robust, reproducible model of vascularized composite allotransplant (VCA) geared toward simultaneous study of immunology and functional recovery. The time invested in meticulous technique in a right mid-thigh hind limb orthotopic transplant with hand sewn vascular anastomoses and neural coaptation yields the ability to study functional recovery.
