Paraplegia, which develops after operation on aorta, represents a real catastrophe for the patient and for the surgeon. The aim of the present work was to investigate the light microscopy picture of this complication and consequently better understand related processes. Twenty one adult dogs, cross breeds of both sexes, weight 18-25 kg, were divided into four groups: 1. Controls (n = 3); 2. 30-min ischemia induced by occlusion of thoracic aorta by a tourniquet, followed for 30 min survival (n = 6); 3. 30-min ischemia and 72 h of survival (n = 6); 4) 30-min ischemia and 6 days of survival (n = 6). All these manipulations were made in sterile conditions under general anesthesia. As soon as the planned time of survival passed, the animals were flushed out, in deep pentobarbital anesthesia, with 3,000 ml of sodium chloride and fixed with 3,000 ml of 10% neutral formaldehyde. Sections, 30
m thick, from L3-S1 medulla segments were processed in the laboratory of Neurobiological Institute by the method of Nauta for light microscopy examination. Neurohistological picture was characterized by a marked damage of the medulla neurons. The changes proved to be irreversible and resulted, in the course of six days of survival, to death of the cells, characterized by their disintegration. The results indicate that the only rational procedure in conditions of threatening ischemic-reperfusion injury of medulla is to prevent it.

        Key words: operation on aorta – ischemic-reperfusion paraplegia