Report of rat orthotopic liver transplantations in 120 cases

Objective To establish a reliable rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation and investigate the prevention of peri-and post operational complication.Methods The model was established with modified cuff technique.The donor was perfused through the abdominal aorta with 20 ml cold perfusion.The anastomosis of the suprahepatic vena cave(SVC) was sutured end-to-end with 6/0 nylon line,and the continuity of infrahepatic vena cave(IVC) and portal vein(PV) were established by means of cuff method respectively.The bile duct anastomosis was performed by internal stent.Results One hundred and twenty case of rat orthotopic liver transplantation were undergone and the successful rate of the mode was 96.7%,the survival rat was satisfactory,with a 95.0% of 1 week survival and a 90.0 % of long-term survival(longer than 3 months).Conclusion The sophisticated surgical technique and the delicate surgical manipulation are the prerequisite of preventing operational complication,and shortening the anhepatic phase of recipient as soon as possible is the key to animal survival.