A Reproducible Supermicrosurgical Model of Cervical Lymphatic-Venous Anastomosis in a Transgenic Alzheimer's Mouse: Technical Translation, Proficiency, and a Validated Learning Curve
BackgroundCervical Lymphatic-Venous Anastomosis(LVA) holds therapeutic potential for Alzheimer disease (AD). However, a validated AD animal model for preclinical investigation remains lacking. This study aimed to establish and standardize LNVA, as a form of lymphatic-venous Anastomosis, in a murine AD model; to quantitatively assess its surgical learning curve; and to create a platform for mechanistic exploration and translational research. MethodsWe established and standardized a deep cervical lymph node-to-vein anastomosis (DC-LNVA), a specific type of lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), in rodents. A two-stage training program was applied to a junior surgeon: 60 DC-LNVA procedures were performed in 30 small Sprague-Dawley rats (50-60g), followed by 20 bilateral anastomoses in 10 male 5XFAD mice. Surgical proficiency was evaluated using procedure time, UWOMSA scoring, and CUSUM analysis. Anatomical parameters were assessed with ImageJ. Anastomotic patency was confirmed via ICG lymphangiography. Intranasal Evans Blue was used to trace cranial distribution pathways. ResultsSD rats had significantly larger external jugular veins (0.376 {+/-} 0.013 mm vs. 0.228 {+/-} 0.011 mm) and DCLNs (1.359 {+/-} 0.084 mm2 vs. 0.333 {+/-} 0.022 mm2) than mice (P < 0.0001). Proficiency was achieved after 27 anastomoses in rats and 10 in mice. ICG confirmed 100% patency in 9 surviving 5XFAD mice. Evans Blue suggested a nasal-cranial pathway for tracer distribution. ConclusionWe developed and validated a cervical lymphatic-venous bypass (LVA) in transgenic AD mice. This platform complements existing loss-of-function approaches and offers a foundation for mechanistic and translational research into brain lymphatic clearance.