Successful long-term storage of rat limbs. The use of simple immersion in Euro-Collins solution.

The effect of simple cold storage in Euro-Collins solution on prolonging successful preservation time was examined on an established rat limb transplant model. Limbs amputated at mid-thigh level were simply immersed in the solution and stored in a refrigerator at 4°C. After varying periods of cold storage, the limb was orthotopically grafted to another isogeneic rat using microsurgical techniques. The survival rates for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours' storage were 100%, 90%, 67% and 50% respectively, and the longest time of successful preservation achieved was 78 hours. Survival rates were greatly decreased when amputated limbs were initially perfused with Euro-Collins solution and immersed in the same solution. In a third set of experiments, the limbs were preserved by a conventional method of cold storage in air, and the survival rates were decreased even further. Evaluation by measuring postoperative paw swelling and microscopic examination of the grafts further confirmed the effectiveness of the simple immersion method without perfusion.