Investigation of metabolism and perfusion in arterialized venous replantation: Experimental study in rabbits

Replantation of amputated digits at distal levels is difficult because the vessels are either too small or absent in the amputated part. Clinically un conventional anastomoses have been tried in such instances. Arterialization of the venous system in the amputated part was also utilized for this purp ose, In this study, a digital replantation model utilizing the amputated ra bbit ear was used to evaluate the survival, metabolism, and perfusion of un conventionally replanted parts. Mean survival areas were measured and perfu sion studies with technetium 99m, blood gases, pH, blood glucose and lactat e levels, tissue glucose and lactate levels, and histological evaluations w ere performed. Surviving areas did not reveal a significant difference, Per fusion of the arterialized venous replants were not as good as the conventi onally replanted ears. The blood glucose and lactate levels in the afferent vein were initially near normal arterial levels but almost reached normal venous levels in the samples taken 24 hours after the arterialized venous r eplantation, Tissue glucose levels were lower than the conventionally perfu sed tissue, and the lactate levels were higher, but these two metabolite le vels were normalized in later samples. The results of the metabolic and per fusion studies are interpreted to elucidate the survival mechanisms in the arterialized venous replants. As a result, arterialized venous replantation may be supported by the favorable results of metabolic and perfusion studi es in our experimental model.