A novel model for external biliary drainage in rat orthotopic liver transplantation

The objective of this study was to establish a stable model of orthotopic liver transplantation with external biliary drainage in rats, to provide the possibility for dynamic detection of bile characteristics after transplantation.

Ninety-eight Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into a control group (n = 30) and an external drainage group (n = 68). Biliary extra-drainage group rats were established as follows: an epidural catheter was implanted into the common bile duct and an appropriate hose was connected from the outside. A stoma was made into the high jejunum, and a hose was implanted. Then the 2 hoses were induced to connect with each other in the subcutis of the right lateral abdominal wall.

The operative success rate and 1-week and 2-week survival rates of the extra-drainage group were 94.1% (64/68), 88.2% (60/68), and 79.4% (54/68), respectively. Meanwhile, in the control group, the operative success rate and 1-week and 2-week survival rates were 93.3% (28/30), 90% (27/30), and 83.3% (25/30), respectively. There were no significant differences at any time between the 2 groups (p > 0.05).

The biliary extra-drainage model in rat orthotopic liver transplantation provides a novel, simple, and reliable method for dynamic collection of bile. The operation success rate was satisfactory. This model was successful and could be applied in various experimental studies.