Modified arterialization of orthotopic liver transplantation in a mouse model.
BACKGROUND
With the establishment of genetically modified and gene knock-out models, the mouse has become an important animal model for liver transplantation. We examined hepatic rearterialization after liver transplantation in a mouse model.


METHODS
Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in 70 mice and sham-operation was performed in a control group of 40 mice. Based on the "two-cuff" method, a continuous suture approach was applied to the suprahepatic inferior vena cava and a cuff approach to the portal vein and the infrahepatic inferior vena cava. A biliary stent was inserted into the bile duct. The hepatic artery was reconstructed with end-to-side anastomosis. The survival rate of recipients was monitored at 24 hours, one week, and one month after the operation. Liver function and morphology were evaluated one month postoperatively.


RESULTS
Postoperative survival rates were 94.3% at 24 hours, 91.4% at one week, and 85.7% at one month. No significant difference was seen between the experimental and control groups in liver function. The hepatic tissue preserved normal structure.


CONCLUSIONS
Owing to its high survival rate and stability, this surgical approach is ideal for establishing an orthotopic liver transplantation mouse model with hepatic artery reconstruction.
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
De-Rong
DR
Huang
Zhong-Jun
ZJ
Wu
Yu
Y
Zhu
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D006085:Graft Survival; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery