Rat liver transplantation for total vascular reconstruction, using a suture method

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Transplantation Research
• Animal Models

Background:

• Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in rats is crucial for studying liver diseases and transplantation immunology.
• Establishing reliable vascular and biliary connections remains a technical challenge in rat OLT models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, reproducible protocol for rat orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) utilizing a suture-based vascular reconstruction technique.
• To optimize surgical steps, including inferior vena cava (IVC) unclamping timing and portal vein (PV) anastomosis, to improve graft survival and function.

Main Methods:

• A novel suture method was employed for total vascular reconstruction in rat OLT.
• Hepatic artery flow was established using an aortic conduit anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta.
• Early IVC unclamping and PV anastomosis without intestinal congestion were implemented, along with a one-stent method for biliary reconstruction.

Main Results:

• The developed rat OLT protocol demonstrated a high survival rate, with 8 out of 11 (72.7%) rats surviving indefinitely.
• Hepatic angiography confirmed good patency of the vascular anastomoses.
• Histological examination of graft livers in long-surviving rats showed normal morphology, indicating successful graft integration and function.

Conclusions:

• The novel suture-based protocol provides a reliable and reproducible method for rat OLT.
• This technique facilitates successful total vascular reconstruction and biliary connection, leading to high graft survival and function.
• The established rat OLT model serves as a valuable platform for future transplantation research.