One-stage total hepatectomy in the rat using microvascular anastomoses

A method is described for one-stage total hepatectomy in the rat using microvascular techniques. The operation consists of creation of a side-to-side mesocaval shunt performed just distal to the renal veins, total removal of the liver with ligation of the portal vein, hepatic arteries, and the bile duct. The vena cava is reconstructed with a segment of vena cava taken from a donor animal. The procedure takes 32 +/- 5 min to complete. Blood glucose concentration was maintained by infusions of balanced salt solution containing from 0.625% to 2.5% dextrose. Mean survival time was 10.5 hr (range, 5.5 to 21.5 hr).