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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Successful Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Mice Utilizing Microcomputed Tomography Angiography
Published on: September 22, 2023
Modified arterialization of orthotopic liver transplantation in a mouse model
De-Rong Huang1, Zhong-Jun Wu, Yu Zhu
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background:
With the establishment of genetically modified and gene knock-out models, the mouse has become an important animal model for liver transplantation. We examined hepatic rearterialization after liver transplantation in a mouse model.
Methods:
Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in 70 mice and sham-operation was performed in a control group of 40 mice. Based on the "two-cuff" method, a continuous suture approach was applied to the suprahepatic inferior vena cava and a cuff approach to the portal vein and the infrahepatic inferior vena cava. A biliary stent was inserted into the bile duct. The hepatic artery was reconstructed with end-to-side anastomosis. The survival rate of recipients was monitored at 24 hours, one week, and one month after the operation. Liver function and morphology were evaluated one month postoperatively.
Results:
Postoperative survival rates were 94.3% at 24 hours, 91.4% at one week, and 85.7% at one month. No significant difference was seen between the experimental and control groups in liver function. The hepatic tissue preserved normal structure.
Conclusion:
Owing to its high survival rate and stability, this surgical approach is ideal for establishing an orthotopic liver transplantation mouse model with hepatic artery reconstruction.
