BACKGROUND: With the establishment of genetically modified and gene knock-out models, the mouse has become an important animal model for liver transplantation. We examined hepatic rearterialization after liver transplantation in a mouse model.
METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in 70 mice and sham-operation was performed in a control group of 40 mice. Based on the "two-cuff" method, a continuous suture approach was applied to the suprahepatic inferior vena cava and a cuff approach to the portal vein and the infrahepatic inferior vena cava. A biliary stent was inserted into the bile duct. The hepatic artery was reconstructed with end-to-side anastomosis. The survival rate of recipients was monitored at 24 hours, one week, and one month after the operation. Liver function and morphology were evaluated one month postoperatively.
RESULTS: Postoperative survival rates were 94.3% at 24 hours, 91.4% at one week, and 85.7% at one month. No significant difference was seen between the experimental and control groups in liver function. The hepatic tissue preserved normal structure.
CONCLUSION: Owing to its high survival rate and stability, this surgical approach is ideal for establishing an orthotopic liver transplantation mouse model with hepatic artery reconstruction.