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A simplified technique for skin grafting rats
Journal oflmmunological Methods,
82 (1985) 369-372
369
Elsevier JIM 03565
Short Communication
A Simplified Technique for Skin Grafting Rats Josefina Krapienis Pesquisa Bhsica, Instituto Nacional do Cancer, Rio de Janeiro, R.l, Brazil
(Received23 January 1985; accepted15 April 1985)
In the rat stitching skin grafts at the muscular level ensures that they remain immobilized. The technique is both simpleand economic. Key words: skin grafts - rats
Introduction
It is relatively easy to skin graft mice. There is, however, some difficulty in fixing a skin graft on its bed in rats. The usual technique, which can be troublesome, has the disadvantage that the graft must be kept in place with the help of a plaster coat and this restricts the animal mobility.
Materials and Methods
Rats AB and U, bred in our animal house were used throughout the experiments. The donor skin was obtained from the dorsal region of the tail, near the base, there being relatively little fur in this region. The recipients received their grafts on the cervical posterior area. A square of dorsal tail skin, approximately 1 cm 2 in area, was stitched with mononylon 40, using simple separated stitches being careful to include not only the recipient skin but also a fragment of muscle tissue (See Fig. 1A). This procedure helps to keep the graft nearer to the recipient graft bed. The thread used for the stitches was kept long (Fig. 1B) so that a dressing made of gauze could be tied in place (Fig. 1C). The rats were then kept isolated in different cages and the dressings maintained for 10 days.
Results
The grafts completely took in all 20 animals (See Fig. 1D) with a considerable economy in both time and materials. 0022-1759/85/$03.30 © 1985 ElsevierSciencePublishers B.V. (BiomedicalDivision)
370
Fig. 1A: graft being stitched. Note that the needle is introduced in the muscle tissue. B: graft already stitched. The thread is left long. C: dressing tied in place with the use of the thread used for stitching the graft. D: graft completely taken. Note the presence of short fur characteristic for tail skin.
372 Discussion When the skin graft is stitched to the muscular level it is kept immobilized in relation to the deep level whilst the superficial stitches and the gauze dressing immobilizes it at the superficial level. It is well known that for a skin graft to take it is essential for it to remain immobile on the graft bed. With the present technique this is achieved with considerable economy of time and material.
82 (1985) 369-372
369
Elsevier JIM 03565
Short Communication
A Simplified Technique for Skin Grafting Rats Josefina Krapienis Pesquisa Bhsica, Instituto Nacional do Cancer, Rio de Janeiro, R.l, Brazil
(Received23 January 1985; accepted15 April 1985)
In the rat stitching skin grafts at the muscular level ensures that they remain immobilized. The technique is both simpleand economic. Key words: skin grafts - rats
Introduction
It is relatively easy to skin graft mice. There is, however, some difficulty in fixing a skin graft on its bed in rats. The usual technique, which can be troublesome, has the disadvantage that the graft must be kept in place with the help of a plaster coat and this restricts the animal mobility.
Materials and Methods
Rats AB and U, bred in our animal house were used throughout the experiments. The donor skin was obtained from the dorsal region of the tail, near the base, there being relatively little fur in this region. The recipients received their grafts on the cervical posterior area. A square of dorsal tail skin, approximately 1 cm 2 in area, was stitched with mononylon 40, using simple separated stitches being careful to include not only the recipient skin but also a fragment of muscle tissue (See Fig. 1A). This procedure helps to keep the graft nearer to the recipient graft bed. The thread used for the stitches was kept long (Fig. 1B) so that a dressing made of gauze could be tied in place (Fig. 1C). The rats were then kept isolated in different cages and the dressings maintained for 10 days.
Results
The grafts completely took in all 20 animals (See Fig. 1D) with a considerable economy in both time and materials. 0022-1759/85/$03.30 © 1985 ElsevierSciencePublishers B.V. (BiomedicalDivision)
370
Fig. 1A: graft being stitched. Note that the needle is introduced in the muscle tissue. B: graft already stitched. The thread is left long. C: dressing tied in place with the use of the thread used for stitching the graft. D: graft completely taken. Note the presence of short fur characteristic for tail skin.
372 Discussion When the skin graft is stitched to the muscular level it is kept immobilized in relation to the deep level whilst the superficial stitches and the gauze dressing immobilizes it at the superficial level. It is well known that for a skin graft to take it is essential for it to remain immobile on the graft bed. With the present technique this is achieved with considerable economy of time and material.