A NEW LIVER TRANSPLANTATION MODEL: POSTSPLENECTOMIC ECTOPIC AUXILIARY LIVER TRANSPLANTATION IN PIGS

Objective:To inquire into the possibility and reliability of newly established liver transplantation model-postsplenectomic ectopic auxiliary liver transplantation in pigs. Methods: Thirty-six male domestic pigs were used (the recipients and donors each 18).Donor liver was removed and cold Collins solution perfused. In the recipient pig, the portal vein was constricted by 1/3 original diameter, then the spleen resected. After that, the donor liver was transplanted on the splenic bed. The anastomotic procedure was done as following:hepatic artery-splenic artery anastomosis(HA-SA), hepatic vein-left renal vein anastomosis(HV-RV), and portal vein-splenic vein anastomosis(PV-SV). Common bile duct was intubated and bile was collected with an extracorporeal bag. Pre-and Postoperative determinations were carried out, including serum biochemistry, hepatic pathological examination (microscopy and electroscopy),and anastomotic stoma pressure, etc. Results:Of the 18 recipient pigs, four died during operation(22.2%). Postoperative observation: five survived for one day (27. 8%), six survived for three days (33. 3%), and three survived for seven days(16.7%).During survival periods, the recipients had stable internal environment and hemodynamics, and normal bile secretion. Conclusion: this study suggests that the newly established liver transplantation model is safe and reliable. This procedure has potential clinical value for treating end-stage cirrhosis.