Microsurgery in microgravity is possible

Microsurgery. 2005;25(2):152-4. doi: 10.1002/micr.20089.

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the feasibility of a microsurgical procedure in the context of microgravity during parabolic flights. The surgical procedure included the sectioning and repair of a rat sciatic nerve and tail artery with 10/0 monofilament sutures. Both procedures were successful. To date, telesurgery cannot be considered during interplanetary spaceflights. If a surgeon is able to perform microsurgery in microgravity, a physician with basic surgery training will be able to perform basic surgical procedures in space flights.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Microsurgery*
  • Rats
  • Sciatic Nerve / surgery
  • Space Flight*
  • Sutures
  • Tail / blood supply
  • Tail / surgery
  • Weightlessness*