[Liver transplantation in the rat. Technical considerations apropos of 247 cases]

A technique is described for orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat using polyethylene cuffs to re-establish subhepatic cava and portal vascular anastomoses. This procedure reduces the time of portal clamping, an important factor of survival. The method was employed in 247 animals during studies to evaluate allograft tolerance and rejection mechanisms in rats of pure strain.