A new method for rat accessory hepatic transplantation — the cervical approach

Current methods for accessory liver transplantation in the rat require a high degree of microsurgical expertise and long training before success is achieved. We present a simpler method of arterialized accessory liver transplantation using the cervical vessels for revascularization of the transplanted liver with the cuff technique, which is useful for studies of liver preservation, reperfusion injury, and liver regeneration. After classical 70% hepatectomy is performed on the graft, the right common carotid artery is anastomosed to the donor aorta, the distal right external jugular vein is anastomosed to the donor portal vein, and the proximal right external jugular vein is anastomosed to the donor supradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. The skin is not closed over the cervically transplanted liver (CTL). This method was used 30 times for periods of up to 6 h with a 90% success rate. CTL structure and function, as revealed by histology, bile flow rates, biliary bilirubin concentrating capacity, membrane potential, enzyme activity and distribution, have shown the CTL to be a structurally normal and metabolically active graft. In conclusion, the cervical approach to arterialized accessory liver transplantation is simple, and should prove useful for studies of liver preservation, reperfusion, regeneration, physiology, and toxicology.