Name: vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis
Uploaded: 2019-01-07T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis at JoVE.com

The authors have no acknowledgments.

All patients provided a signed written informed consent and the approval of the local Ethics Committee (EC/2014/0438) was obtained.
NOTE: The inclusion criteria for the presented protocol were: male; age &#8805;18 years; signed written informed consent; fit for operation; isolated urethral stricture; urethral stricture &#8804;3 cm; urethral stricture only at the bulbar or membranous site. The exclusion criteria were: female; transgender; age &#60;18 years; absence of signed wr...

<ol>
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A., Virasoro, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Technique+of+Vessel+Sparing+Excision+and+Primary+Anastomosis+for+Proximal+Bulbous+Urethral+Reconstruction.">The Technique of Vessel Sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis for Proximal Bulbous Urethral Reconstruction.</a> The Journal of Urology. 177 (5), 1799-1802 (2007).</li><li>Gur, U., Jordan, G. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vessel-sparing+excision+and+primary+anastomosis+(for+proximal+bulbar+urethral+strictures).">Vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis (for proximal bulbar urethral strictures).</a> BJU International. 101 (9), 1183-1195 (2008).</li><li>Andrich, D. E., Mundy, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-transecting+anastomotic+bulbar+urethroplasty:+a+preliminary+report.">Non-transecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty: a preliminary report.</a> BJU International. 109 (7), 1090-1094 (2012).</li><li>Lumen, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nontransecting+Anastomotic+Repair+in+Urethral+Reconstruction:+Surgical+and+Functional+Outcomes.">Nontransecting Anastomotic Repair in Urethral Reconstruction: Surgical and Functional Outcomes.</a> The Journal of Urology. 196 (6), 1679-1684 (2016).</li><li>Virasoro, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=International+multi-institutional+experience+with+the+vessel-sparing+technique+to+reconstruct+the+proximal+bulbar+urethra:+mid-term+results.">International multi-institutional experience with the vessel-sparing technique to reconstruct the proximal bulbar urethra: mid-term results.</a> World Journal of Urology. 33 (12), 2153-2157 (2015).</li><li>Bugeja, S., Andrich, D. 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Urethral stricture repair by vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis was initially performed at Ghent University Hospital in 2010. Thereafter, it became a standard of practice in the hospital&#39;s management of patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures. As the bulb remains attached to the perineal body, access to the posterior urethra and the resection of the fibrotic tissue at that site can be compromised. A distortion of the pubic rami due to a pelvic fracture might further impede ac...

Urethroplasty is considered the standard treatment for urethral strictures as it provides excellent long-term success rates1,2. A numerous amount of surgical techniques has been described, challenging the reconstructive urologist to choose the best approach, considering various stricture modalities such as the number of strictures, the stricture length, the stricture location, the etiology, comorbidities, and previous urethral interventions. For isolated short bulbar urethral strictures, the International Consultation on Urologic Diseases (ICUD) recommends urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) associated with a composite success rate of 93.8%3,4.
Urethroplasty by EPA embodies an approach in which the entire diseased segment of the urethra is removed and replaced by healthy adjacent urethra without the need for grafts or flaps to bridge the gap. Traditionally, this approach included the full thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum at the level of the stricture5. However, as EPA only requires the excision of the narrowed segment and the surrounding spongiofibrosis, a full thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum, and the dual urethral blood supply within it, is usually unnecessary. Given this background, Jordan et al. introduced the idea of a vessel-sparing approach in 2007, offering a non-transecting alternative to the classic transecting EPA (tEPA)6,7. This vessel-sparing EPA (vsEPA) has been uprising ever since and several centers have&#8212;though slightly modified&#8212;implemented this technique in their surgical repertoire8,9,10,11,12.
The vessel-sparing technique aims to reduce surgical trauma, especially to the dual arterial blood supply of the urethra embedded in the corpus spongiosum. The preservation of the bulbar arteries potentially reduces the risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction or glans ischemia. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for subsequent urethral interventions such as redo urethroplasty using a free graft, in which a well-vascularized graft bed is imperative8,9. Nevertheless, these potential benefits are only assumptions as prospective studies comparing the functional outcome of both techniques with validated questionnaires are currently lacking.
As important as the functional outcome is, vsEPA should at least be able to provide similar surgical outcomes as tEPA. Promising short-term results have been published and are in line with the success rates reported by the ICUD, but a direct comparison between both techniques has, so far, not been performed3,4,8,9,10,11,12.
Pelvic fracture-related urethral injuries are associated with scar tissue formation and a subsequent urethral stricture or complete obliteration of the membranous urethra. Posterior strictures might also develop after surgery or irradiation to the prostate13. For these strictures, urethroplasty with the excision of the scar tissue and bulbo-prostatic anastomosis is recommended as well14. Traditionally, the bulbar arteries were ligated during this procedure if not already obliterated due to the pelvic fracture. To avoid this, a vessel-sparing variant has been introduced and reported as well15,16.
The aim of this paper is to give an elaborate, step-by-step overview of how to manage patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vsEPA. The main scope is to outline and visualize the surgical technique and to report the representative surgical outcome. An evaluation of the functional outcome parameters is beyond the scope of this paper.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">iso-Betadine Dermicum 125 ml (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Meda Pharma</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">A-472825</td>
			<td style="width:159px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Sterile gown (3)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">According to surgeon&#39;s preference</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Sterile gloves (3 pairs)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">According to surgeon&#39;s preference</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Sterile drapes (4)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Medline</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">AGBBA073A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Bard-Parker scalpel number 3 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">06-1003-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Bard-Parker scalpel number 4 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">10-100-04</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Scalpel blade number 15 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Swann-Morton</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">0205</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Scalpel blade number 24 (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Swann-Morton</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">0211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Surgical forceps 14 cm (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">12-301-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Monopolar electrocauter Valleylab&#160; (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Medtronic</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">E2100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Electrocauter blade 15 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Comepa</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">CO 150i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Debakey forceps 20 cm (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">D&#252;fner</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">06232-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">3-layered compress 30 x 45 cm (5)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">M&#246;lnlycke Health Care</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">175260</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Surgical compress 10 x 10 cm (10)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Hartmann</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">232088</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Hegar needle driver 18 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">24-1804-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Hegar needle driver 25 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">24-1804-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Jones scissor 18 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">D&#252;fner</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">04940-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Mayo-Stille scissor 17 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Zepf Medical Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">08-1700-17</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Lone Star retractor (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">CooperSurgical, Trumbull, CT, USA</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">72403867</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:299px;">Lone Star elastic stays (4)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">CooperSurgical, Trumbull, CT, USA</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">3311-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vessel loop 45 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Braun</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">1095137</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Halsted-Mosquito (6)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">KLS Martin Group</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">13-317-21</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">20Fr silicone urethral catheter (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Yushin Medical Co.</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">1037B-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">3Fr ureteral catheter (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Teleflex</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">223602</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">20Fr metal sound (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Custom made</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl 4-0 wire (6)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">V734D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl 3-0 wire (2)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">VCP316H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vicryl Rapide 3-0&#160; wire (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">VF2260</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">10Fr Drain needle (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Vygon</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">658.10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">10Fr Suction drain (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Oriplast</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">203102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Vacuum flask 400 ml (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Oriplast</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">213215AL/QL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:299px;">Zetuvit 10 x 20 cm (1)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Hartmann</td>
			<td style="width:149px;">413771</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis

Urethroplasty is considered to be the standard treatment for urethral strictures since it provides excellent long-term success rates. For isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures, urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) is recommended. As EPA only requires the excision of the narrowed segment and the surrounding spongiofibrosis, a full-thickness transection of the corpus spongiosum, as performed in the traditional transecting EPA (tEPA), is usually unnecessary. Jordan et al. introduced the idea of a vessel-sparing approach in 2007, aiming to reduce surgical trauma, especially to the dual arterial blood supply of the urethra, and, thus, potentially reducing the risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction or glans ischemia. This approach could also be beneficial for subsequent urethral interventions such as redo urethroplasty using a free graft, in which a well-vascularized graft bed is imperative. Nevertheless, these potential benefits are only assumptions as prospective studies comparing the functional outcome of both techniques with validated questionnaires are currently lacking. Moreover, vessel-sparing EPA (vsEPA) should at least be able to provide similar surgical outcomes as tEPA. The aim of this paper is to give an elaborate, step-by-step overview of how to manage patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vsEPA. The main objective of this manuscript is to outline the surgical technique and to report the representative surgical outcome. A total of 117 patients were managed according to the described protocol. The analysis was performed on the entire patient cohort and on the bulbar (n = 91) and posterior (n = 26) vsEPA group separately. Success rates were 93.4% and 88.5% for the bulbar and posterior vsEPA, respectively. To conclude, vsEPA, as outlined in the protocol, provides excellent success rates with low complication rates for isolated short bulbar and posterior urethral strictures.

Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 117 patients with isolated short bulbar (n = 91) or posterior (n = 26) urethral strictures were treated with vsEPA at Ghent University Hospital. The baseline characteristics are displayed in Table 1. The median follow-up was 35 and 45 months for bulbar and posterior strictures, respectively. The strictures were longer in the patients who underwent posterior vsEPA and, accordingly, the number of patients with a calculated...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis at JoVE.com

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis

Here, we present an elaborate and efficient protocol to treat isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures with vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis.

Urethroplasty is considered to be the standard treatment for urethral strictures since it provides excellent long-term success rates. For isolated short ...

This vessel-sparing technique aims to reduce surgical trauma during urethroplasty by excision and primary anastomosis. Preserving the bulbar arteries could reduce the risk of post-operative erectile dysfunction and glans ischemia. Furthermore, it can be beneficial for further urethral interventions requiring a well-sustained avascularization.After confirming the presence of a stricture by retrograde and/or antegrade urethrography, adjust the patient on the operating table in the supine position, in a modified lithotomy position with the knees and hips flexed 60 to 90 degrees, with 45 degrees of abduction, and the calves supported in leg holders. Disinfect the exposed perineum and external genitals with an iodine-based antiseptic scrub, and place sterile drapes around the operating field, including the penis and scrotum, without the anus. To access the bulbar urethra, use a number 24 scalpel blade to make a midline paraniel skin incision, and dissect the sub-cutaneous fat tissue through Colles Fascia with a monopolar electrocautery, until the bulbospongiosus muscle is encountered, cauterizing any bleeding vessels as necessary.Incise the bulbospongiosus muscle at the midline, and use Jones scissors to dissect the muscle away from the underlying corpus spongiosum. Then, fix the bulbospongiosus muscle at the perineal skin with four silk 2-0 stay sutures. Apply a self-retaining retractor, and attach elastic stay hooks to the bulbospongiosus muscle with sufficient traction, securing the elastics to one of the slots of the retractor.Next, dissect the bulbar urethra in a circumferential manner, starting at the mid bulbar region, to allow further dorsal dissection of the urethra and a detachment of the dorsal ducts fascia from the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. Encircle the exposed bulbar urethra with a vessel loop, and secure the loop with a kocher clamp to facilitate manipulation. Continue the dorsal dissection and detachment in the distal direction toward the penoscrotal angle using sharp scissors, and closely following the avascular surgical plane of Buck's fascia.Then continue the dorsal dissection proximally toward the urogenital diaphram, without dissecting the bulb of the corpus spongiosum at the anal side, and leaving the bulbar arteries in tact. To open the stricture, introduce a 20 French silicone urethral catheter, or a 20 French metal sound into the meatus urethri, and pass it up toward the distal extent of the urethral stricture. At this level, use a number 24 scalpel blade to open the urethra dorsali in a longitudinal manner, and place one silk 3-0 stay suture on each side of the opened urethra, to facilitate exposure of the urethral lumen.Insert a three French urethral catheter through the urethra and proximally up through the scrictured area, opening the stricture along the catheter until health urethral tissue is encountered. Introduce a 20 French metal sound up toward the bladder to evaluate the patency and caliber of the proximal urethra, and place one silk 3-0 stay suture on each side of the opened proximal urethra. Then resect the stricture, as well as the surrounding spongiofibrosis, until healthy spongeous is encountered ventrally, and grasp the urethral mucosa with a debakey forceps with a large grip.It is very important to fully resect the urethral stricture and the surrounding spongiofibrosis in order to obtain two well-vascularized urethral ends. Using interrupted 4-0 sutures, licate the ventral ends of the proximal and distal urethra from the inside of the urethral lumen for creation of the ventral urethra plate. Dorsally spatulate the healthy urethral edges for about one centimeter, and remove the stay sutures.Then use interrupted 4-0 sutures to close the dorsal edges of the urethral ends transversely, and to close the corpus spongiosum over the urethra. To prevent urethroplasty failure, it is of utmost importance to complete the anastomosis without any tension. Remove the retractor, and cut the stay sutures with mayo still scissors.Then, perforate the skin of the right inguinal region with the 10 French drain needle. Leaving the silicone catheter in place, place a 10 French suction drain between the corpus spongiosum and the bulbospongiosus muscle. Use a 3-0 running suture to close the bulbospongiosus muscle over the underlying urethra and corpus spongiosum.Then, suture Colles fascia in a running manner, and suture the skin with interrupted Donati stitches, both using 3-0 sutures. Use a silk 2-0 suture to fix the suction drain at the groin. Then, apply a pararenal compressive dressing.Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 117 patients with isolated short bulbar or posterior urethral strictures were treated with vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis at Ghent University Hospital, with a median followup time of 35 and 45 months for bulbar and posterior strictures, respectively. The complication rate was equally low in both groups, and mainly consisted of low-grade events, such as wound dehiscence, wound infection, urinary infection, bladder spasms, and hematoma. Overall, the estimated failure-free survival was 95.3%95.3%and 87%at one, two, and five years, respectively, for the bulbar vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis group, and 88.3%over the same monitoring periods for the posterior vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis group.To conclude, vessel-sparing excision and primary anastomosis provides excellent success rates with low complication rates for isolated, short bulbar and posterior urethral strictures.

vessel-sparing-excision-and-primary-anastomosis

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

The C-seal: A Biofragmentable Drain Protecting the Stapled Colorectal Anastomosis from Leakage

Colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious complication in colorectal surgery leading to high morbidity and mortality rates1. The incidence of AL varies between 2.5 and 20% 2-5. Over the years, many strategies aimed at lowering the incidence of anastomotic leakage have been examined6, 7. 
The cause of AL is probably multifactorial. Etiological factors include insufficient arterial blood supply, tension on the anastomosis, hematoma and/or infection at the anastomotic site, and co-morbid factors of the patient as diabetes and atherosclerosis8. Furthermore, some anastomoses may be insufficient from the start due to technical failure.
Currently a new device is developed in our institute aimed at protecting the colorectal anastomosis and lowering the incidence of AL. This so called C-seal is a biofragmentable drain, which is stapled to the anastomosis with the circular stapler. It covers the luminal side of the colorectal anastomosis thereby preventing leakage.
The C-seal is a thin-walled tube-like drain, with an approximate diameter of 4 cm and an approximate length of 25 cm (figure 1). It is a tubular device composed of biodegradable polyurethane. Two flaps with adhesive tape are found at one end of the tube. These flaps are used to attach the C-seal to the anvil of the circular stapler, so that after the anastomosis is made the C-seal can be pulled through the anus. The C-seal remains in situ for at least 10 days. Thereafter it will lose strength and will degrade to be secreted from the body together with the gastrointestinal natural contents.
The C-seal does not prevent the formation of dehiscences. However, it prevents extravasation of faeces into the peritoneal cavity. This means that a gap at the anastomotic site does not lead to leakage.
Currently, a phase II study testing the C-seal in 35 patients undergoing (colo-)rectal resection with stapled anastomosis is recruiting. The C-seal can be used in both open procedures as well as laparoscopic procedures. The C-seal is only applied in stapled anastomoses within 15cm from the anal verge. In the video, application of the C-seal is shown in an open extended sigmoid resection in a patient suffering from diverticular disease with a stenotic colon.

The C-seal is a biofragmentable drain protecting the stapled colorectal anastomosis. In this video, details of the manufacturing, deployment and use are shown.

Colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious complication in colorectal surgery leading to high morbidity and mortality rates1. The incidence of AL ...

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.

The understanding of the pathophysiology of brain arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulas has improved thanks to animal models. A rat model creating an artificial fistula between the common carotid artery (CCA) and the external jugular vein (EJV) has been widely described and proved technically feasible. This construct provokes a consistent cerebral venous hypertension (CVH), and therefore has helped studying the contribution of venous hypertension to formation, clinical symptoms, and prognosis of brain AVMs and dural AVFs. Equivalent mice models have been only scarcely described and have shown trouble with stenosis of the fistula. An established murine model would allow the study of not only pathophysiology but also potential genetic therapies for these cerebrovascular diseases.
We present a model of arteriovenous fistula that produces a durable intracranial venous hypertension in the mouse. Microsurgical anastomosis of the murine CCA and EJV can be difficult due to diminutive anatomy and frequently result in a non-patent fistula. In this step-by-step protocol we address all the important challenges encountered during this procedure. Avoiding excessive retraction of the vein during the exposure, using 11-0 sutures instead of 10-0, and making a carefully planned end-to-side anastomosis are some of the critical steps. Although this method requires advanced microsurgical skills and a longer learning curve that the equivalent in the rat, it can be consistently developed.
This novel model has been designed to integrate transgenic mouse techniques with a previously well-established experimental system that has proved useful to study brain AVMs and dural AVFs. By opening the possibility of using transgenic mice, a broader spectrum of valid models can be achieved and genetic treatments can also be tested. The experimental construct could also be further adapted to the study of other cerebrovascular diseases related with venous hypertension such as migraine, transient global amnesia, transient monocular blindness, etc.

We describe a method for creating a reliable model of cerebral venous hypertension in the adult mouse. This model has been widely described and tested in the rat. This new counterpart in the mice opens the possibility of using genetic modified animals and thereby broadens the applications of the model.

The understanding of the pathophysiology of brain arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulas has improved thanks to animal models. A rat model ...

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis

Intestinal resections are frequently required for treatment of diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, with Crohn&#8217;s disease and colon cancer being two common examples. Despite the frequency of these procedures, a significant knowledge gap remains in describing the inherent effects of intestinal resection on host physiology and disease pathophysiology. This article provides detailed instructions for an ileocolic resection with primary end-to-end anastomosis in mice, as well as essential aspects of peri-operative care to maximize post-operative success. When followed closely, this procedure yields a 95% long-term survival rate, no failure to thrive, and minimizes post-operative complications of bowel obstruction and anastomotic leak. The technical challenges of performing the procedure in mice are a barrier to its wide spread use in research. The skills described in this article can be acquired without previous surgical experience. Once mastered, the murine ileocolic resection procedure will provide a reproducible tool for studying the effects of intestinal resection in models of human disease.

Ileocolic resection is commonly performed in several human diseases; however, little is known regarding the impact of intestinal resection on surgical illnesses. This article provides instruction on executing the procedure in mice with high success, providing a means to study the effects of ileocolic resection in models of disease.

Intestinal resections are frequently required for treatment of diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, with Crohn&#8217;s disease and colon cancer ...

Isolation and Excision of Murine Aorta; A Versatile Technique in the Study of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term describing disease of the heart and/or blood vessels. The main blood vessel supplying the body with oxygenated blood is the aorta. The aorta may become affected in diseases such as atherosclerosis and aneurysm. Researchers investigating these diseases would benefit from direct observation of the aorta to characterize disease progression as well as to evaluate efficacy of potential therapeutics. The goal of this protocol is to describe proper isolation and excision of the aorta to aid investigators researching cardiovascular disease. Isolation and excision of the aorta allows investigators to look at gross morphometric changes as wells as allowing them to preserve and stain the tissue to look at histologic changes if desired. The aorta may be used for molecular studies to evaluate protein and gene expression to discover targets of interest and mechanisms of action. This technique is superior to imaging modalities as they have inherent limitations in technology and cost. Additionally, primary isolated cells from a freshly isolated and excised aorta can allowing researchers to perform further in situ and in vitro assays. The isolation and excision of the aorta has the limitation of having to sacrifice the animal however, in this case the benefits outweigh the harm as it is the most versatile technique in the study of aortic disease.

Pathology of the aorta can lead to severe morbidity and mortality, therefore research of disease progression and potential therapies is warranted. Here, we present a protocol to isolate and excise the murine aorta to aid researchers in their investigation of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term describing disease of the heart and/or blood vessels. The main blood vessel supplying the body with oxygenated ...

Localization, Identification, and Excision of Murine Adipose Depots

Obesity has increased dramatically in the last few decades and affects over one third of the adult US population. The economic effect of obesity in 2005 reached a staggering sum of $190.2 billion in direct medical costs alone. Obesity is a major risk factor for a wide host of diseases. Historically, little was known regarding adipose and its major and essential functions in the body. Brown and white adipose are the two main types of adipose but current literature has identified a new type of fat called brite or beige adipose. Research has shown that adipose depots have specific metabolic profiles and certain depots allow for a propensity for obesity and other related disorders. The goal of this protocol is to provide researchers the capacity to identify and excise adipose depots that will allow for the analysis of different factorial effects on adipose; as well as the beneficial or detrimental role adipose plays in disease and overall health. Isolation and excision of adipose depots allows investigators to look at gross morphological changes as well as histological changes. The adipose isolated can also be used for molecular studies to evaluate transcriptional and translational change or for in vitro experimentation to discover targets of interest and mechanisms of action. This technique is superior to other published techniques due to the design allowing for isolation of multiple depots with simplicity and minimal contamination.

Due to the drastic and negative connection between obesity and other comorbidities, research on the role adipose plays in disease and overall health is warranted. We present a protocol for the isolation and excision of adipose depots allowing for the study of adipose using in situ and in vitro methods.

Obesity has increased dramatically in the last few decades and affects over one third of the adult US population. The economic effect of obesity in 2005 ...

A Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Using a Novel Magnetic Anastomosis Technique for Suprahepatic Vena Cava Reconstruction

The rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is essential for transplant research. It is a very sophisticated animal model and requires a steep learning curve. The introduction of the cuff technique for anastomosis of the portal vein (PV) and infrahepatic vena cava (IHVC) has significantly simplified the transplant procedure in rats. However, due to the short anterior wall of the recipients' suprahepatic vena cava (SHVC), the cuff technique is very difficult to use for the reconstruction of the SHVC. Most researchers in this field still use the hand-suture technique for SHVC reconstruction, which makes it the bottleneck step in rat orthotopic liver transplantation. The magnetic anastomosis technique (i.e., magnamosis) is a method of connecting two vessels using the attractive force between two magnets. Our recent study has shown that the magnetic anastomosis technique is superior to the hand-suture technique for SHVC reconstruction in rats. In this article, we show a step-by-step protocol for SHVC reconstruction in rats using the novel magnetic anastomosis technique. In this model, the reconstruction of the PV and IHVC was performed by the standard cuff technique, while the reconstruction of the bile duct (BD) was performed by a stent technique. The hepatic re-arterialization was not performed. The magnetic anastomosis technique made SHVC reconstruction much easier and significantly shortened the anphepatic phase. After a reasonable learning curve, even researchers without advanced microsurgical skills can produce reliable and reproducible results using this rat model of OLT.

The reconstruction of the suprahepatic vena cava (SHVC) remains a difficult step in rat orthotopic liver transplantation. In this article, we show a step-by-step protocol for SHVC reconstruction in rats using a novel magnetic anastomosis technique.

The rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is essential for transplant research. It is a very sophisticated animal model and requires a steep ...

Application of End-to-end Anastomosis in Robotic Central Pancreatectomy

Central pancreatectomy is carried out for the treatment of benign or low-malignant potential tumors located in the pancreatic neck or proximal part of pancreatic body. With technological development, the robotic surgical system has shown its advantage in minimally invasive surgery and been increasingly applied in central pancreatectomy. However, reconstruction of the continuity of pancreas with end-to-end anastomosis after robotic central pancreatectomy has not been applied. In this study, we report surgical techniques for robotic central pancreatectomy with end-to-end anastomosis. The pancreas is reconstructed by duct-to-duct anastomosis of the pancreatic duct with a pancreatic stent inserted in the two stumps of pancreatic duct, and by end-to-end anastomosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. Compared with traditional central pancreatectomy with pancreaticoenteric anastomosis, this approach decreases the operative injury to the patient, and also conserves the integrity and continuity of the digestive duct and pancreatic duct. The robotic surgical system integrated with multiple instruments with flexible and precise movement is particularly suitable for the dissection and reconstruction of the pancreatic duct. We found that robotic central pancreatectomy with end-to-end anastomosis is safe and feasible, and we need more experience to evaluate its best indications and long-term outcomes.

The robotic central pancreatectomy with end-to-end anastomosis is feasible and safe for tumor in the pancreatic neck and proximal portion of pancreatic body. The operative techniques of this operation are presented.

Central pancreatectomy is carried out for the treatment of benign or low-malignant potential tumors located in the pancreatic neck or proximal part of ...

Creation of Colonic Anastomosis in Mice

Intestinal anastomoses are commonly performed in both elective and emergent operations. Even so, anastomotic leaks are a highly feared complications of colonic surgeries and can occur in up to 26% of surgical anastomoses, with mortality being up to 39% for patients with such a leak. Currently, there remains a paucity of data detailing the cellular mechanisms of anastomotic healing. Devising preventative strategies and treatment modalities for anastomotic leak could be greatly potentiated by a better understanding of appropriate anastomotic healing.
A murine model is ideal as previous studies have shown that the murine anastomosis is the most clinically similar to the human case as compared with other animal models. We offer an easily reproducible murine model of colonic anastomosis in mice that will allow for further illustration of anastomotic healing.

Anastomotic leak or breakdown after surgery is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Our surgery for creating a colonic anastomosis is a reliable and reproducible method for studying the healing mechanisms of anastomoses.

Intestinal anastomoses are commonly performed in both elective and emergent operations. Even so, anastomotic leaks are a highly feared complications of ...

One-anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) in Rats

The goal of this protocol is to set up a preclinical model of bariatric surgery and, more specifically, OAGB in obese rats. Based on this preclinical model, longitudinal studies can be carried out to provide an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying the outcomes seen after bariatric surgery in humans. For this purpose, rats are operated on through a laparotomy under general anesthesia with isoflurane. First, the surgeon creates a long and tubular gastric pouch: after greater curve and hiatal dissection, the nonglandular stomach is stapled and removed. Then, the remaining stomach is also stapled in order to create a gastric tube and exclude the antrum of the stomach. After that, the surgeon performs a single end-to-side gastrojejunostomy 35 cm from the duodenojejunal angle. This limb length has been chosen in order to reproduce the same ratio between the biliopancreatic limb (BPL) and common limb (CL) length as in human bariatric surgery. The operation ends by aponeurotic and cutaneous closure. The early postoperative management consists of subcutaneous hydration, an intramuscular prophylactic antibiotic injection, a parietal injection of xylocaine, the administration of painkillers, and a progressive reintroduction of diet.

One-anastomosis Gastric Bypass OAGB in Rats

This protocol is for the performance of one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) on rat. The operator performs a long and tubular-stapled gastric pouch followed by hand-sewn anastomosis. For this model, the operator reproduces the same ratio between biliopancreatic and common limb in humans; therefore, the biliopancreatic limb measures 35 cm.

The goal of this protocol is to set up a preclinical model of bariatric surgery and, more specifically, OAGB in obese rats. Based on this preclinical ...

Vessel-Sparing Microsurgical Longitudinal Intussusception Vasoepididymostomy to Treat Epididymal Obstructive Azoospermia

The epididymis is a common site of obstruction in obstructive azoospermia (OA). Vasoepididymostomy has become an important method for the treatment of epididymal OA since 2000. There are two challenges in classic microscopic vasoepididymostomy. First, anastomosis of the vas deferens and epididymis is performed with double-needle sutures. However, there is a lack of good-quality and cost-effective double-needle sutures in China, which leads to increased difficulty and poor success rates of anastomosis. Second, the separation of the vas deferens does not retain vasculature, although the vas deferens vasculature plays an important role in the blood supply to the vas deferens, epididymis, and testis. This affects the blood supply to the anastomotic area and epididymis.
Therefore, this team has made innovative improvements to address these problems. Good-quality, cost-effective, single-needle sutures, which are easy to purchase in China and other countries, were used in microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy. This can optimize the operation procedure and shorten the operation time while ensuring the success rate of the anastomosis. The surgical method of preserving the vas deferens vessels was innovatively proposed because the etiology of epididymal OA is mostly inflammatory in China. The protection of the blood supply to the vas deferens and epididymis is maximized using microsurgical forceps to separate and protect the vasculature. Patency reached 81.7% in the postoperative follow-up, indicating a better surgical treatment effect.

The present protocol describes a vessel-sparing, longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy using readily available single-needle sutures in China, a safe and effective procedure, which may improve patients' patency and natural pregnancy rates.

The epididymis is a common site of obstruction in obstructive azoospermia (OA). Vasoepididymostomy has become an important method for the treatment of ...