Abstract
Background This study examines the effects of the empty-and-refill patency test on rat femoral
arteries in the longer postoperative time period.
Methods A simple arterial anastomosis was performed bilaterally on 20 rats. The empty-and-refill
test was performed unilaterally in all rats, leaving the contralateral artery as an
internal control. Rats were divided into two cohorts of 10 rats and survived for 48
hours and 2 weeks. Vessel patency was assessed prior to closing and immediately prior
to sacrifice. The femoral arteries were harvested bilaterally and hematoxylin and
eosin stains were performed. The femoral artery distal to the anastomosis in the region
of the empty-and-refill test was histologically evaluated.
Results All vessels were patent at the time of sacrifice. There was no statistical difference
in the numeric scoring between the experimental and control vessels in the 48-hour
cohort. Almost all vessels harvested at 48 hours showed endothelial cell loss distal
to the anastomosis regardless of whether they underwent the empty-and-refill test.
The only statistically significant difference in the 2-week cohort was an increase
in adventitial smooth muscle proliferation in the experimental group. There were no
other statistically significant results between the experimental and control groups
at 2 weeks. An overall comparison of both cohorts revealed a statistically significant
increase in endothelial cell number and intimal proliferation by 2 weeks postsurgery.
Conclusion The empty-and-refill test does not compromise rat femoral artery anastomotic patency,
nor does it produce histological damage either 48 hours or 2 weeks postsurgery.
Keywords
empty-and-refill patency test - thrombosis - microvascular surgery
