Models and techniques for microsurgery research.

Microsurgery is used today to salvage severed parts and to reconstruct previous damage. Much remains to be learned in this field and laboratory research will direct future developments. Laboratory experience prior to clinical use is mandatory and takes several months of conscientious application. Various rat models are useful. Rat hind leg replantation and muscle autotransplantation provide experience in microdissection and vascular anastomoses with unequivocal end points. Finally, clinical cases have to be well chosen and meticulously planned.