Liver Graft Regeneration in Right Lobe Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Optimal portal flow is one of the essentials in adequate liver function, graft regeneration and outcome of the graft after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). The relations among factors that cause sufficient liver graft regeneration are still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential predisposing factors that encourage liver graft regeneration after ALDLT. The study population consisted of right lobe ALDLT recipients from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan. The records, preoperative images, postoperative Doppler ultrasound evaluation and computed tomography studies performed 6 months after transplant were reviewed. The volume of the graft 6 months after transplant divided by the standard liver volume was calculated as the regeneration ratio. The predisposing risk factors were compiled from statistical analyses and included age, recipient body weight, native liver disease, spleen size before transplant, patency of the hepatic venous graft, graft weight-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), posttransplant portal flow, vascular and biliary complications and rejection. One hundred forty-five recipients were enrolled in this study. The liver graft regeneration ratio was 91.2 ± 12.6% (range, 58–151). The size of the spleen (p = 0.00015), total portal flow and GRWR (p = 0.005) were linearly correlated with the regeneration rate. Patency of the hepatic venous tributary reconstructed was positively correlated to graft regeneration and was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Splenic artery ligation was advantageous to promote liver regeneration in specific cases but splenectomy did not show any positive advantage. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow and may directly trigger regeneration after transplant. Control of sufficient portal flow and adequate hepatic outflow are important factors in graft regeneration.     

Influence of Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes on Liver Regeneration after Sex-Mismatched Liver Transplantation in Humans

ABSTRACT

Background: Presence of hematopoietic stem-cell-derived hepatocytes after clinical liver transplantation was demonstrated repeatedly. The relevance of this controversial mechanism of regeneration was discussed. Regarding frequency, the demonstrated results were divergent. In the present study, we propose to investigate the influence of growth and regeneration on the frequency of hematopoietic stem-cell-derived hepatocytes in transplanted organs. Material and Method: Paraffin-embedded liver specimens, obtained as clinically indicated, from female grafts transplanted into male recipients were investigated. The presence of Y-chromosome in hepatocytes, detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), was the indicator for recipient origin. Slides were evaluated by assessing the relative number of Y-chromosome containing hepatocytes within 50 images representing an average of 775 hepatocytes. Results: In only 9 out of 81 specimens, single Y-chromosome positive hepatocytes were detected, resulting in a maximal frequency of 0.64%. Six positive specimens were obtained from full-size liver grafts and one from a partial liver graft. In the pediatric group, two positive samples were found. By staining additional sections from the nine positive specimens, no additional positive hepatocytes were detected suggesting an even lower frequency within the whole sample. We did not find any accumulation of Y-chromosome positive cells in any of the individually analyzed patient groups. Conclusion: Transdifferentiation of hematopoietic stem cells is an extremely rare event in liver growth and regeneration after transplantation. Due to the low number of positive events, the biological relevance seems questionable.     

肝素结合的类表皮生长因子促进大鼠减体积肝移植术后移植肝细胞的再生

目的 探讨肝素结合的类表皮生长因子（heparin binding epidermal growth factor—like growth factor，HB-EGF）对大鼠减体积肝移植术后肝细胞再生的促进作用。方法 采用改良“二袖套法”建立大鼠原位减体积肝移植模型，分为实验组和对照组，术后即刻经尾静脉分别给予HB-EGF（500μg／kg）和相同体积的生理盐水，2次／d。2组分别在术后第6h、2d、4d及7d随机挑取5只大鼠处死，称取移植物湿重，采血检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）及白蛋白（Alb），流式细胞仪检测移植肝细胞的增殖活性，免疫组织化学法检测移植肝Ki-67的表达情况。结果术后第6h、2d和4d，实验组移植物湿重较对照组相应时相明显增加（P〈0．05）；术后第6h、2d、4d和7d，实验组血清ALT水平较对照组相应时相明显降低（P〈0．05），而第4和7d时Alb水平较对照组相应时相明显增高（P〈0．05）；术后第2和4d时，实验组的移植肝细胞增殖指数和Ki-67表达较对照组高（2d：P〈0．01；4d：P〈0．05）。结论 大鼠原位减体积肝移植术后使用HB-EGF能够明显促进移植肝细胞的再生。     

Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) begun in response to deceased donor organ shortage and waiting list mortality, grew rapidly after its first general application in the United States in 1998. There are significant risks to the living donor, including the risk of death and substantial morbidity, and two highly publicized donor deaths have led to decreased LDLT since 2001. Significant improvements in outcomes have been seen over recent years that have not been reported in single center studies; however, LDLT still comprises less than 5% of adult liver transplants, significantly less than in kidney transplantation where living donors now comprise the majority. The ethics, optimal utility and application of LDLT remain to be defined. In addition, studies to date have focused on post-transplant outcomes and not included the potential impact of LDLT on waiting time mortality. Future analyses should include appropriate control or comparison groups that capture the effect of LDLT on overall mortality from the time of listing. Further growth of LDLT will depend on defining the optimal recipient and donor characteristics for this procedure as well as broader acceptance and experience in the public and in transplant centers.     

大鼠肝移植后肝再生的实验研究

目的：探讨部分肝移植术后移植肝的再生问题。方法：建立大鼠部分肝移植模型，实验分为肝切除组（PLR组）、全肝移植组（OLT组）和部分肝移植组（POLT组）3组，分别于术后不同时间段取外周血检测总胆红素和谷丙转氨酶水平；取肝组织行组织学检查及流式细胞仪检测移植肝的增殖活性。结果：移植术后1w，肝功能酶学指标增高，后逐步降低；组织学检查术后可见单核细胞浸润，特别在门静脉周围汇管区，肝实质可见点状坏死。术后1个月可见胆管增殖；PLR组和POLT组还可见二倍体和多倍体的肝细胞，中央小静脉、肝窦和叶间静脉轻度扩张。PLR组和POLT组肝细胞增生活跃，3组分别于术后1d、2d、4d达到增殖高峰。结论：部分移植肝和肝切除后肝脏具有同样的增殖活性，但增殖高峰POLT组及OLT组均要晚于肝切除后的肝脏，但移植组增殖周期长。这可能是由于手术操作及肝脏缺血再灌注损伤所致。而持续时间长可能与受体免疫系统产生的细胞因子和激素的调控相关。     

Side-to-Side Cavocavostomy in Adult Piggyback Liver Transplantation

Objective

Our objective was to perform a retrospective study that described the anastomosis technique as well as the complications of side-to-side cavo-caval reconstruction.

Patients and Methods

From June 1998 to April 2011, we performed 284 liver transplantations including 10 adults with live donor organs. In all cases but 2 (272), cavo-caval reconstruction was performed using side-to-side cavo-caval (STSCC) anastomosis. In 19 cases (6.9%), we also carried out an end-to-side temporary porto-caval shunt (TPCS). In 17 cases (6.2%) the technique was performed for retransplantation.

Results

STSCC anastomosis was technically feasible in all but 2 cases, regardless of the recipient's vena cava, anatomic factors, or graft size. Mean operative time for the STSCC was 13 minutes (range, 6-25). Routine Doppler ultrasonography was performed intraoperatively at the end of the surgery. There was no case of cava stump thrombosis. Complications associated with this technique were limited to 2 patients. One complication was torsion due to donor graft/recipient mismatch, which was successfully treated surgically by falciform ligament fixation. The second complication was only evident by sinusoidal congestion and was managed nonoperatively. Seventeen cases were uneventful for retransplant recipients.

Conclusions

STSCC during piggyback liver transplantation is safe and can be performed in the retransplantation setting, with a low incidence of venous outflow obstruction that can be associated with the traditional piggyback technique. Our data suggest that donor graft to recipient mismatch is not an absolute contraindication when proper body size match is considered. A wide anastomosis with typical recipient hepatic vein inclusion is warranted with routine postanastomotic Doppler ultrasonography.     

Donor Outcomes After Liver Donation in Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Objectives

This study aims to investigate postdonation outcomes of adult living donor liver transplantation donors and remnant liver regeneration in different graft types.

无心跳供肝大鼠肝移植模型的手术操作技巧探讨

目的建立一个稳定的无心跳供肝大鼠原位肝移植模型。方法在Kamada"二袖套法"的基础上进行改良,根据供肝获取前经历无心跳热缺血时间不同分为10min(R10组)、20min(R20组)和30min(R30组)3组,比较各组术后1周大鼠存活率。结果供体手术时间约30min(不含热缺血时间)。供肝冷保存时间均为1h。肝上下腔静脉吻合时间12～22min(平均15min),门静脉和肝下下腔静脉套管分别约需2min和1min。无肝期时间14～24min(平均19min),受体总手术时间50～65min(平均60min)。大鼠术后24h内死亡视为手术失败,共计12例死亡。R10组、R20组和R30组手术成功率分别为95%(19/20)、80%(16/20)和65%(13/20),术后1周生存率分别为95%(18/19)、81%(13/16)和54%(7/13)。结论在Kamada"二袖套法"基础上进行改良的大鼠无心跳供肝肝移植模型能很好地模拟临床无心跳供肝肝移植。大鼠肝脏能耐受30min以内的热缺血时间,移植术后短期存活结果满意,长期存活率尚需进一步研究。     

Bacterial Translocation in Adult Small Bowel Transplantation

The application of intestinal transplantation is limited by the high rate of infectious complications that can occur; the migration of enteric microorganisms to extraintestinal sites (bacterial translocation) has been suggested to be responsible for this event. We reviewed 95 intestinal biopsies performed on 28 transplanted patients to identify histologic features predictive of isolation of enteric microorganisms in extraintestinal sites within the first month after transplantation.At least 1 isolation of enteric microorganisms in the peritoneal cavity and/or in blood samples was obtained in 13 patients (46.4%); this event led to higher 1-year mortality (38.5% vs. 6.7%; P = .041). Of the 95 biopsies, 38 were followed by positive cultures (40.0%), showing higher degrees of mucosal vascular alterations (Ruiz grade) and ischemia/reperfusion injuries (Park/Chiu grade) compared with the negative cases (P < .05). We also observed an higher prevalence of positive cultures in relation to acute cellular rejection episodes (P = .091). Neither clinical or surgical factors nor immunosuppressive therapy were observed to be significantly related to positive cultures. Histologic alterations of the small bowel allograft are related to isolation of enteric microorganisms in extraintestinal sites. The degree of these histologic features can identify patients at high risk of potentially life-threatening infectious complications and death.     

Graft Regeneration in Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Objective

Due to the shortage of cadaver liver grafts in Asia, more than 90% of biliary atresia (BA) patients require living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), but the factors that influence liver graft regeneration in pediatric patients are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential predisposing factors that encourage liver graft regeneration in pediatric liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

Case notes and Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography studies performed before and 6 months after transplantation of 103 BA patients who underwent LDLT were reviewed. The predisposing factors that triggered liver regeneration were compiled from statistical analyses and included the following: age, gender, body weight and height, spleen size, graft weight–to–recipient weight ratio (GRWR), post-transplantation total portal flow, and vascular complications.

Results

Seventy-two pediatric recipients were enrolled in this study. The liver graft regeneration rate was 29.633 ± 36.61% (range, −29.53–126.27%). The size of the spleen (P = .001), post-transplantation portal flow (P = .004), and age (P = .04) were correlated lineally with the regeneration rate. The GRWR was negatively correlated with the regeneration rate (P = .001) and was the only independent factor that affected the regeneration rate. When the GRWR was >3.4, patients tended to have poor and negative graft regeneration (P = .01).

Conclusion

Large-for-size grafts have negative effect on regeneration rates because liver grafts that are too large can compromise total portal flow and increase vascular complications, especially when the GRWR is >3.4. Thus, optimal graft size is more essential than other factors in a pediatric LDLT patient.     

Liver Regeneration and Splenic Enlargement in Donors after Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

Liver regeneration after donor hepactectomy offers a unique insight into the process of liver regeneration in normal livers. As the liver restores itself, concurrent splenic enlargement occurs. There are many theories about why this phenomenon takes place: some investigators have proposed a relative portal hypertension that leads to splenic congestion or, perhaps, the presence of a common growth factor that induces both the liver and spleen to enlarge. Between the months of June 2001 and May 2004, 112 live donor liver transplants (LDLTs) were performed in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The total number of donor hepatectomies performed during this period was 113, however, because one of the cases required dual donors. Of our 113 donors, we eventually analyzed the data of 109; 4 patients were lost to follow-up 6 months later and were excluded from our study. The average age of our donor population was 32.32 ± 8.48 years. The mean liver volume at donation was noted to be 1207.72 ± 219.95 cm³, and 6 months later, it was 1027.18 ± 202.41 cm³. Expressed as a percentage of the original volume, the mean liver volume 6 months after hepatectomy was 90.70% ± 12.47% in this series. For right graft donors, mean liver volume after 6 months was 89.68% ± 12.37% of the original liver volume, whereas that for left graft donors was 91.99% ± 12.6%. Only 26 of the 109 (23.85%) donors were able to achieve full regeneration 6 months post-donation. Notably, liver function profiles of all donors were normal when measured 6 months after operation. The average splenic volume at donation as measured by computed tomography (CT) volumetry was 159 ± 58 cm³, and the splenic volume 6 months post-donation was 213 ± 85 cm³. There was a mean increment in splenic volume of 35% ± 28% 6 months after donation. The blood profiles of the donors were monitored; particular attention was given to platelet levels and liver function tests, and these were found to be within normal limits 6 months after operation. Of note, splenic enlargement was significantly greater among right-sided donors than their left-sided counterparts. Greater splenic enlargement was also observed in those donors who achieved full liver regeneration at their evaluation 6 months postoperatively than in those who did not. Although original liver volume was not re-established in most patients 6 months after liver donation, there seemed to have been no untoward effects to the donor. The factors that affect liver regeneration are complex and myriad. Although there is splenic enlargement at 6 months post-donation in donors of LDLT, there are no untoward effects of this enlargement.     

Initial Clinical Effect of Intraportal Insulin Administration on Liver Graft Regeneration in Adult Patients Underwent Living Donor Right Lobe Liver Transplantation

ObjectiveInsulin is one factor responsible for hepatotrophic regeneration in animal models. This study assessed the clinical effects of intraportal administration of insulin on liver graft regeneration in adult patients undergoing right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).MethodsBetween July 2005 and September 2007, 19 right lobe LDLT adult recipients voluntarily received posttransplant intraportal insulin administration. The present study describes 15 patients without postoperative vascular and bile duct complications, with more than 1 month survival and with complete clinical data who were enrolled to receive intraportal insulin therapy (group I; n = 15). Another consecutive 15 right lobe LDLT adult recipients without any stimulation regeneration who met the same criteria were enrolled in as noninsulin therapy control group (group NI; n = 15). Group I recipients were treated postoperatively with intraportal insulin infusion, as follows. An 18-gauge catheter was inserted into right gastro-omental vein during surgery, to administer regular insulin just after the operation at the rate of 2 U/h for 1 week. Graft volume (GV) was measured by computed tomography on postoperative days (POD) 7 and 30. Liver functions and serum insulin levels were also measured at POD 7 and POD 30. The liver graft regeneration rate was defined as ratio of posttransplant GV/harvested GV and posttransplant graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR)/operative GRWR.ResultsThe rate defined as ratio of POD 7 GV/harvested GV among group I was significantly greater than that of group NI (186.07 ± 35.40% vs 160.61 ± 22.11%; P < .05). The rate defined as ratio of POD 7 GRWR/operation GRWR was also significantly higher in group I than group NI (178.95 ± 35.84% vs 156.56 ± 18.53%; P < .05), whereas there was no significant difference in terms of regeneration rates at 1 month post-LDLT. Intraportal insulin administration may significantly downregulate POD 7 total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels (P < .05). These results suggested that intraportal insulin administration augmented liver regeneration during the first postoperative week by improving hepatic function in LDLT recipients.     

Regeneration Rate of Left Liver Grafts in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant

Objective

Appropriate graft weight is important in liver transplant to provide better graft regeneration and to avoid small-for-size syndrome with graft failure. Generally, to protect the donor, the left liver is always selected as the graft. The aim of this study is to evaluate the regeneration rate of the left lobe liver graft in adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT).

Patients and Methods

The records and preoperative and postoperative images within 6 months after liver transplantation were reviewed for 9 left and 145 right liver grafts ALDLT enrolled in this study. We calculated the graft volume at 6 months after transplantation divided by the standard liver volume as the regeneration ratio. The regeneration rate of the group with a left liver graft ALDLT was compared with our right liver graft group.

Results

The liver graft regeneration ratio of the left lobe was 85.3 ± 11.0 (range, 61-97), slightly lower than the right liver graft (91.2 ± 12.6%; range, 58-151). In the graft-recipient body weight ratio (GRWR) > 1, the regenerative rate was slightly higher than the group of GRWR < 1. The regeneration ratio was proportional to spleen volume and portal inflow (P = .039).

Conclusion

Either the right or left liver graft can achieve sufficient regeneration in ALDLT. However, there was a slightly lower regeneration rate among the left liver graft and GRWR < 1 groups. Spleen size, a major factor contributing to portal inflow, may directly trigger graft regeneration after transplantation with a linear correlation in growth.     

Incisional Hernia in Recipients of Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

After receiving a living donor liver transplant (LDLT), an incisional hernia is a potentially serious complication that can affect the patient’s quality of life. In the present study we evaluated surgical hernia repair after LDLT.

Materials and methods

Medical records of patients who underwent surgery to repair an incisional hernia after LDLT in Turgut Ozal Medical Center between October 2006 and January 2010 were evaluated in this retrospective study. A reverse-T incision was made for liver transplantation. The hernias were repaired with onlay polypropylene mesh. Age, gender, post-transplant relaparatomy, the type, the result of surgery for the incisional hernia, and risk factors for developing incisional hernia were evaluated.

Results

An incisional hernia developed in 44 of 173 (25.4 %) patients after LDLT. Incisional hernia repair was performed in 14 of 173 patients (8.1 %) who underwent LDLT from October 2006 to January 2010. Relaparatomy was associated with incisional hernia (p = 0.0002). The mean age at the time of the incisional hernia repair was 51 years, and 79 % of the patients were men. The median follow-up period was 19.2 (13–36) months after the hernia repair. Three patients with intestinal incarceration underwent emergency surgery to repair the hernia. Partial small bowel resection was required in one patient. Postoperative complications included seroma formation in one patient and wound infection in another. There was no recurrence of hernia during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

The incidence of incisional hernia after LDLT was 25.4 % in this study. Relaparatomy increases the probability of developing incisional hernia in recipients of LDLT. According to the results of the study, repair of an incisional hernia with onlay mesh is a suitable option.     

Portal Venous Pressure in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Objective

The relationship between portal pressure and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) is unsettled. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of portal pressure in predicting SFSS.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with end-stage liver disease who received adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) were included. Recipients were grouped based on whether they received portal flow modulation or not. The intraoperative portal vein flow volume (PVFV) and portal venous pressure (PVP) between the 2 groups were compared. The relationship of PVP to PVFV, graft weight-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), and graft weight-to-recipient spleen size ratio (GRSSR) were analyzed.

Results

Persistent portal hypertension was found after ALDLT. The PVP was linearly correlated with PVFV but not with GRWR or GRSSR. With the use of the following criteria, (1) PVFV >250 mL/min/100 g graft weight, (2) GRWR <0.8%, and (3) GRSSR <0.6, modulation of the portal flow was performed in 3 cases. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that 23 mm Hg was the cutoff point for PVP, with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 43%.

Conclusions

PVP is a weak parameter to use for portal flow modulation after ALDLT. It is sensitive but not specific to predict SFSS.     

Fk506 Inhibit Liver Regeneration in HOC Model Rat

BackgroundStudies have shown that lymphocytes support hepatic oval cell (HOC)-dependent liver regeneration and FK506（Tacrolimus） is known as an immunosuppressor. Therefore, we studied the role of FK506 in HOC activation and/or proliferation to guide the clinical use of FK506.MethodsThirty male Lewis rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: (A) intervene in activation (n = 8), (B) intervene in proliferation (n = 8), (C) control HOC model (n = 8), and (D) pure partial hepatectomy (PH) (n = 6). The HOC model was established by 2AAF(2-acetylaminofluorene)/PH in groups A to C. FK506 (at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d) was given subcutaneously in group A except on operation day, and not until day 8 post-operation (PO) in group B. Half of the animals were euthanized on days 10 and 14 PO, respectively. The remnant liver was weighed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and epithelial cell adhesion molecule enabled HOC proliferation analysis.ResultsFK506 intervention exacerbated liver damage and hindered the recovery of the HOC model rat. Weight gain was severely retarded or even negative. Liver weight and the liver body weight ratio were lower than control group. HE and immunohistochemistry showed pooer proliferation of hepatocytes and fewer HOC numbers in group A.ConclusionFK506 inhibited HOC activation by affecting T and NK cells, ultimately blocking liver regeneration. Poor liver regeneration after auxiliary liver transplantation might be associated with the inhibition of HOC activation and proliferation caused by FK506 treatment.     

Impact of Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation on Waiting Time Survival in Candidates Listed for Liver Transplantation

Studies comparing adult living donor liver transplantation to deceased donor liver transplantation have focused on post-transplant survival. Our aim was to focus on the impact of living donor liver transplant on waiting time mortality and overall mortality. We analyzed the affect of living donor liver transplantation on waiting time mortality and overall mortality (from listing until last follow up) in a cohort of 116 transplant candidates. Fifty-eight candidates who had individuals present as potential living donors (volunteer group) were matched by MELD score to 58 liver transplant candidates who did not have individuals present as a potential living donor (no volunteer group). Twenty-seven percent of candidates in the no volunteer group and 62% of candidates in the volunteer group underwent liver transplantation, p = 0.0003. One-year waiting list mortality for the volunteer group and no volunteer group was 10% and 20%, respectively, p = 0.03. Patient survival from the time of listing to last follow up was similar between the two groups. In our study group, living donor liver transplantation is associated with a higher rate of liver transplantation and lower waiting time mortality. In the era of living donor liver transplantation, estimates of patient survival should incorporate waiting time mortality.     

Transplantation of Hepatocytes for Prevention of Intracranial Hypertension in Pigs With Ischemic Liver Failure

Intracranial hypertension leading to brain stem herniation is a major cause of death in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Mannitol, barbiturates, and hyperventilation have been used to treat brain swelling, but most patients are either refractory to medical management or cannot be treated because of concurrent medical problems or side effects. In this study, we examined whether allogeneic hepatocellular transplantation may prevent development of intracranial hypertension in pigs with experimentally induced liver failure. Of the two preparations tested—total hepatectomy (n = 47), and liver devascularization (n = 16)—only pigs with liver ischemia developed brain edema provided, however, that animals were maintained normothermic throughout the postoperative period. This model was then used in transplantation studies, in which six pigs received intrasplenic injection of allogeneic hepatocytes (2.5 × 10⁹ cells/pig) and 3 days later acute liver failure was induced. In both models (anhepatic state, liver devascularization), pigs allowed to become hypothermic had significantly longer survival compared to those maintained normothermic. Normothermic pigs with liver ischemia had, at all time points studied, ICP greater than 20 mmHg. Pigs that received hepatocellular transplants had ICP below 15 mmHg until death; at the same time, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in transplanted pigs was consistently higher than in controls (45 ± 11 mmHg vs. 16 ± 18 mmHg; p < 0.05). Spleens of transplanted pigs contained clusters of viable hepatocytes (hematoxylin-eosin, CAM 5.2). It was concluded that removal of the liver does not result in intracranial hypertension; hypothermia prolongs survival time in both anhepatic pigs and pigs with liver devascularization, and intrasplenic transplantation of allogeneic hepatocytes prevents development of intracranial hypertension in pigs with acute ischemic liver failure.