HOMOTRANSPLANTATION OF THE CANINE LIVER. A NEW TECHNIC

Long-term fate of heterotopic liver transplants in rats with portal vein inflow only

Previous studies have suggested that hepatic arterial flow in heterotopic partial liver transplants is necessary to ensure graft survival and regenerative capacity. This report presents findings in a syngeneic rat strain (Lewis) that partial liver transplants can be successfully heterotopically transplanted in the long term with the only inflow coming from the portal vein. When the host liver undergoes a nearly complete resection at 3-4 weeks, the transplanted liver regenerates to maintain the health of the host. Moderate to massive hepatocellular necrosis occurs in the first 3 months postoperatively, with recovery by 4-5 months. Liver transplants 8-10 months postoperatively appear architecturally normal. No host liver tissues were found to be regenerating after subtotal host liver resection. We conclude that portal vein reconstruction without hepatic arterial inflow can sustain a partial liver transplant in the long term, replacing the function of the host liver.

Partial heterotopic liver homograft in dogs utilizing portal arterialization

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Experimental and clinical observations after homotransplantation of the whole liver

During the past 10 years, much has been learned about homotransplantation of the whole liver using either a replacement (orthotopic) homograft or an auxiliary organ which is inserted at an ectopic site without removal of the recipient’s own liver. The available information concerning these operations has been reviewed from animal experiments, and from the handful of attempts at clinical application.