Revolutionizing small bowel transplantation in mice and rats: A cutting-edge dry-lab simulation model
Animal reduction is a key ethical goal in research. Small bowel transplantation in rodents is essential for studying rejection but training consumes many animals without scientific yield. We developed a low-cost simulation model using silicone-coated intravenous lines sized to mouse vasculature (SMA, portal vein, aorta, vena cava). Eight experienced microsurgeons performed anastomoses and rated usability, similarity, and material quality (5-point Likert). The model allowed realistic training in suturing and vessel handling. Arterial components mimicked tissue well, while venous models were overly rigid. Usability was rated high, procedural similarity moderate–positive. Suturing and procedure times resembled live surgery, though haptic feedback and knot security were limited. This reproducible dry-lab model supports early microsurgical training and reduces animal use. Despite material limitations, it provides a practical, ethical tool for foundational skill development.
Authors
- Thilo Hackert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7012-1196)
- Pablo Stringa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6557-2160)
- M Gentilini
- Gabriel Eduardo Gondolesi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3869-6213)
- Baris Mercanoglu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4498-6727)
- Jun Oh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1846-675X)
- Tarik Ghadban (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1894-9893)
- Leandro Emmanuel Vecchio Dezillio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9858-5307)
- Natalia Lausada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1686-6573)
- Dimitra E. Zazara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5414-1886)
- Graziano Oldani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6637-0675)
- Karl J. Oldhafer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4878-265X)
- Eleftherios Papazoglou
- Philipp Seeger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7206-4297)
- F Hernández (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6998-5229)
- Javier Serradilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3406-5251)
- Michael F. Nentwich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7510-7230)
- Anastasios D. Giannou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4152-4201)
- Felix Nickel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6066-8238)
- Morsal Sabihi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9840-0931)
- David Harriman
- Andrés Machicote
- Jeremías Moreira
- Jöran Lücke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6081-479X)
- Anas Amin Preukschas
- Oliver Mann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1506-2744)
- Samuel Huber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9325-8227)
- Ane Miren Andrés Moreno
- Stéphanie Chartier-Plante
- Stephan Bennemann
Institutions
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Universität Hamburg (DE)
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (ES)
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Current Problems in Surgery
- Published
- 2025-10-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpsurg.2025.101917
- Primary Topic
- Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00