Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Technique of Subnormothermic Ex Vivo Liver Perfusion for the Storage, Assessment, and Repair of Marginal Liver Grafts
Published on: August 13, 2014
An experimental minimally invasive perfusion technique for the treatment of liver metastases
J Rothbarth1, M E J Pijl, R A E M Tollenaar
1Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Aim:
Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) is an invasive, technically difficult, non-repeatable and demanding operation. In this study we report the development of a less invasive alternative for the surgical IHP in a pig model.
Methods:
Our technique was tested in 8 Yorkshire pigs (60 kg). The liver was isolated from the systemic circuit using minimally invasive techniques: an occlusion stent-graft and balloon catheters, with reversal of the blood flow through the liver during IHP.
Results:
Tests with varying pressures applied at the PV revealed a clear relation between the suction pressure at the outflow site (PV), intrahepatic pressure and systemic leakage of 99mTc. A leakage-free IHP could be obtained in seven separate experiments.
Conclusion:
Isolated hepatic perfusion using minimally invasive techniques is feasible in pigs when the intrahepatic pressure is controlled. This technique has yet to be tested in patients.
