Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The porcine splitting orthotopic liver transplantation technique is characterized as high incidence of biliary complication and ischemic necrosis of the left medial lobe. In order to further research the splitting liver transplantation, a suitable animal is need to establish the transplantation and anesthesia model.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the establishment of porcine splitting orthotopic liver transplantation model and the characteristics of anesthesia management.
METHODS: Forty 3-month-old pigs weighing 25-30 kg were selected, the veno-venous bypass was performed under general anesthesia, and then the donor liver was split along Taira line. After the section was trimmed, the orthotopic liver transplantation was performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The liver function recovered well, and the survival rate after one week was 50%, the operative time of recipient was (220±31) minutes, the recipient underwent anhepatic period was (35±6) minutes. Ten animals survived more than 48 hours. During anhepatic and reperfusion phase, the hemodynamics was significantly changed; and in the reperfusion phase, the content of serum potassium was significantly increased while the temperature was decreased. The result indicates that: ①The porcine splitting orthotopic liver transplantation model (along Taira line) is easy to operate, and has highly standardized degree and success rate as well as good reproducibility and stability, which is considered as an ideal animal model for a series of studies of liver transplantation in large animals. ②Even in a good vein bypass, the changes of hemodynamics and environment in anhepatic and reperfusion phase were significant. The correction of clotting mechanism and maintaining a stable internal environment during anesthesia are critical for the success of the operation.