Study design for vein and artery anastomoses
infections
PAD, INFECTIONS
The Symani robot was placed close to the surgical table with microinstruments directed toward the rat femoral vessels (Fig. Before surgery, the rats were prepared by a veterinarian with intraperitoneal anesthesia using Xylazine (5–10 mg/kg) and Zoletil100 (20–40 mg/kg) at CeSAL and with inhalatory anesthesia using Sevoflurane at CCMIJU. Rats were carefully placed in a supine position over an animal warming pad and prepared for surgery. A trichotomy of the groin areas was performed, followed by disinfection with povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine and administration of prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotic to prevent potential post-operative infections. After that, the surgeon proceeded with skin incision and vessel preparation by using standard microsurgical instruments. Once the femoral vein or artery was exposed and isolated, a colored background was placed behind the vessel for contrast. The diameter of the vessel was measured with a digital caliber and secured with a double microvascular clamp. Then, the vessels were cut in the middle, and end-to-end microvascular anastomoses were completed using 10-0 nylon sutures (S&T AG, Neuhausen, Switzerland). After the execution of the two anastomoses (left/right rat groin, one robotic, the other manual), the skin incisions were closed with 3-0 prolene sutures (Ethicon, Pennsylvania, United States). After skin closure, the animals were monitored for physiological recovery from anesthesia and housed individually with daily animal welfare assessment.