Permanent cannulation of the hepatic portal vein in rats

A technique is described for chronic cannulation of the hepatic portal vein in rats. The T-shaped cannula is made in the laboratory from polyethylene tubing. Implantation of the cannula allows injection or blood withdrawal in a small laboratory animal which is unanesthetized and unrestrained. Simultaneous implantation of intracardotid and intraportal cannulas permits comparisons of blood composition in order to study the role of the liver or intestinal absorption.