Partial orthotopic liver transplantation in rats

A partial orthotopic liver transplantation technique (70% POLT) for use in rats and comparable with the corresponding recipient operation in the 'splitting transplantation' in man was developed. Body weight, liver function, histological and electron-microscopic findings were studied in comparison with whole rat liver transplantation with rearterialization, 30% POLT and corresponding liver resections. After 70 and 30% POLT typical signs of hepatic regeneration were found, but no pathological alterations in the electron-microscopic picture. This POLT model might be helpful for the investigation of unresolved questions in 'splitting transplantation'.