A comparative study on suture versus cuff anastomosis in mouse cervical cardiac transplant.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cuff technique to traditional suture technique in establishing cervical heart transplant model in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty transplants were performed by 1 surgeon, 40 using the cuff technique, and 40 using the suture technique, under the same circumstances. RESULTS: The cuff approach was significantly superior to conventional suture anastomosis in higher surgical successful rate, less surgery, and less ischemic time (P < .05). Suture anastomosis required an intensive microsurgical training and at least a 16x surgical microscope, while the cuff anastomosis required less learning time and a 10x surgical microscope. CONCLUSIONS: The cuff technique is the preferred method in cervical heart transplant model in mice.