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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Method of Direct Segmental Intra-hepatic Delivery Using a Rat Liver Hilar Clamp Model
Published on: April 2, 2017
Late biliary obstruction in Wistar rats after intermittent hepatic pedicle clamping
G d L Jorge1, R d R Tártaro1, A C C Facin2
1Laboratory of Experimental Liver Transplantation; Brazil.
Introduction:
The temporary vascular occlusion of hepatic flow is one of the essential procedures in hepatic surgery.
Aim:
Evaluate the late liver alterations after intermittent pedicle hepatic clamping (IHPC) in Wistar rats.
Methods:
Male Wistar rats (n = 14) with average weight of 281.1 g, were anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine 5%. The IHPC group (n = 7) was submitted to U-shaped abdominal incision; the hepatic pedicle was isolated and submitted to IHPC ischemia 4 times, 5 minutes each, followed by reperfusion 4 times, 5 minutes each. The simulated operation group (n = 7) was subjected to anesthesia, laparotomy, and manipulation of the hepatic pedicle. On day 35, after fasting for 12 hours, liver biopsies were collected and blood was tested for liver aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase).
Results:
All the IHPC group animals had a dilated common bile duct and increased liver enzymes (P < .05 by Mann-Whitney test). Ductular proliferation (100% of cases), porta-porta septa (42.8%), formation of lumps (42.8%), foci of necrosis (14.2%), and bile plugs (14, 2%) were observed only in the IHPC group.
Conclusion:
In rats, IHPC caused morphologic features leading to biliary obstruction.

