Abstract: A method for autotransplantation, is provided including the steps of (a) obtaining a piece of tissue from one part of a body, (b) preserving the tissue by contacting it with a tissue preserving medium, without tissue culturing occurring, and (c) grafting the tissue in another part of the body. The method is especially advantageous for the repair of hypospadias using buccal mucosa tissue. The tissue preserving medium preferably is a solution of (a) 80-120 mM NaCl, (b) 3-6 mM KCl, (c) 0.1-0.3 mM MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O, (d) 1-3 mM CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O, (e) 0.2-0.6 mM NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, (f) 1.5-4 mM glucose, (g) 15-25 mM Na lactate, (h) 0.2-0.6 mM Na pyruvate, (i) 0.01-0.05 mM phenol red, (j) 0.1-0.4 mM L-glutamine, (k) 2-35 mM sodium bicarbonate, (l) 125-200 units/ml penicillin-G, (m) 40-60 .mu.g/ml streptomycin sulfate, (n) vehicle consistent with tissue preservation; said medium having a pH ranging from 7.0-7.8.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for both supporting and preserving a piece of graft tissue during pre-implantation preparation, and for creating a tubular graft from the piece of graft tissue. The purpose of the device is (1) to support, stabilize, and preserve a piece of graft tissue; (2) to provide a rotating base to debride or otherwise prepare the donor tissue; and (3) to place the tissue around a mandrel for tubularization. The apparatus may be used as a support for preparing a piece of tissue for use as a skin graft or the like. Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides an advantageous method and apparatus for forming the graft tissue into a tubular configuration for use as a tubular graft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microsurgical needle for use in microsurgical techniques. The distal segment of the needle is straight with a circular cross section, and has a sharpened tip with a triangular cross section having three sharp edges for cutting rather than tearing tissue during penetration. The middle segment of the needle has an acutely angled arched shape, and a transitional cross section which transitions between a squared cross section of the main shaft segment and the circular cross section of the straight distal segment. The main shaft segment of the needle has a generally squared cross section, and forms a broadly curved or arched shaft segment which may be easily gripped by a needle holder. The proximal end of the needle forms a suture attachment segment, and may be circular in cross section. The shape of the needle provides an easy angle, better stability, superior tissue alignment, and better control than conventional. needles, while the point is designed to minimize tissue trauma.