Intravital microscopy is used for analysis of the microcirculation in various organs, e.g. mesentery, intestine, heart, liver and lung, requiring either exteriorization or in situ visualization techniques in anaesthetized animals. In contrast, the implantation of transparent chambers has been employed to allow chronic observation of the microcirculation in intact, non-anaesthetized animals. This paper reports results with two transparent chamber models: the skin-fold chamber model in the hamster and the mouse. An overview is provided of the technical development of the chamber technique and of the various experimental studies that have been performed using these models in ischaemia-reperfusion of striated muscle. Particular emphasis is given to a description of the methods used to induce ischaemia and reperfusion, namely pressure-induced or tourniquet-induced ischaemia. While the former allows simulation of the pathophysiological situation in compartment syndromes, the latter provides an appropriate simulation of the clinical situation in vascular, transplantation and reconstructive surgery. Future possibilities for these microcirculation models in research into the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion are outlined, and potential therapeutic measures to preserve postischaemic tissue are discussed.