ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a modified dual liver transplantation rat model. Methods Based on the classic donor Y-shaped double iliac vein recanalization of bilateral liver grafts and portal vein and bile duct of the recipients, the dual liver transplantation rat model was modified by increasing the rat body mass, increasing the right lower lobe of the right graft, appropriate bile duct length, trimming Y-shaped blood vessels, and "triangular" anastomosis. The operation time, cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time and anhepatic phase of dual liver transplantation were recorded. The incidence of postoperative complications of the recipients was observed. The survival rates of the recipients at postoperative 7 and 30 d were calculated. Results The operation time of dual liver transplantation in rat was (114±7) min, the cold ischemia time was (36±3) min, the warm ischemia time was (9.7±1.6) min, and the anhepatic phase was (19.9±2.2) min, respectively. The incidence of postoperative complications in the recipient rats was 31% (5/16) including 2 cases of peritoneal effusion, 1 case of hemorrhage, 1 case of bile leakage and 1 case of respiratory obstruction. The postoperative 7- and 30-d survival rates of the recipient rats were 81%(13/16)、56%(9/16), respectively. Conclusions The modified technique can establish a stable dual liver transplantation rat model, which deserves widespread application.