A Hyperbaric Warm Perfusion System Preserves Tissue Composites Ex vivo and Delays the Onset of Acute Rejection.

Background:  Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) precipitates acute rejection of vascularized composite allografts (VCA). Hyperbaric preservation of tissues ex vivo, between harvest and revascularization, may reduce IRI and mitigate acute rejection of VCA.

Methods:  A porcine heterotopic musculocutaneous gracilis flap model was used.