A modified model of orthotopic liver transplantation in rat / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Based on recent personal experience, we presented a detailed description on how to perform orthotopic liver transplantation in rat with two-cuff technique, including many improvements to the original technique, to facilitate the beginners to acquire this model. Methods 136 male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, i.e. donor group and recipient group. On the basis of Kamada's cuff technique, some modifications were made. The donor liver was first perfused through the abdominal aorta with cold Ringer-lactate solution and then harvested. After removal of the recipient liver, the liver graft was then placed orthotopically in the abdomen. The donor suprahepatic vena cava was anastomosed end-to-end with the recipient suprahepatic vena cava, using a 7-0 running suture. The continuity of infrahepatic vena cava and portal vein was accomplished by cuff technique. The end-to-end bile duct anastomosis was performed by tying the two ducts over a tube stent, with fixation both sides. Recipient survival rate and causes of death were observed after the transplantation. Results The time for liver procurement, graft preparation, anhepatic phase, and bile duct reconstruction were 23-35 minutes, 8-13 minutes, 16-19 minutes, and 2-3 minutes, respectively. 48-hour and one-week survival rate of recipients was 95.5% and 89.7%, respectively. Main cause for death within 48 hours after operation was bleeding. Biliary tract obstruction, bile leakage, and liver lobe necrosis were the main causes for mortality after one week. Conclusion The results show that the modified model is highly reproducible, and it provides a stable and practical experimental model for the basic study on liver transplantation.