ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Because of liver donor deficiency and high incidence of fatty liver, moderate fatty liver as a marginal donor results in a high risk for graft loss after liver transplantation. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a stable rat model by which we can enhance the utilization of these liver donors. OBJECTIVE: To establish a viable and stable model of reduced-size liver transplantation with fatty liver donor in rats. METHODS: Forty pairs of fatty liver donor and recipient rats were randomly chosen. The recipient rats in experimental group received reduced-size liver transplantation and the rats in control group received orthotopic liver transplantation. The breath, heart rate, and vessel filling situation were observed. The postoperative recovery, cause of death, and survival conditions were observed. The operation time was compared between two groups. Besides, the postoperative liver function and pathological changes were assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After graft reperfusion, in the control group, the respiratory rate and heart rate were significantly faster than those in experimental group (P < 0.05), but the vessel filling of inferior vena cava was poor. Rats in the experimental group recovered better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The operation time in the control group was significantly prolonged compared with the experimental group (P < 0.05). The early mortality in the control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group, which mainly caused by intra-abdominal hemorrhage, air embolism and hypovolemic shock. The survival time, histology and liver function indexes postoperatively did not differ significantly between two groups. To conclude, the rat model of reduced-size liver transplantation is stable, which reveals clear field of operation and stable circulation, so it is a ideal model for liver transplantation with fatty liver donors.