portal vein and infrahepatic inferior vena cava reconstruction in mouse liver transplantation

Strategies for Efficient Vascular Anastomosis in Mouse Liver Transplantation

Mouse orthotopic liver transplantation (MOLT) is an effective experimental method first reported in 19911. This experimental model, which utilizes genetically modified mice and various research reagents, has played a pivotal role in investigating warm and cold ischemia and reperfusion injuries. However, the model&#39;s high technical complexity has hindered the development of basic medicine for liver transplantation2. MOLT involves three major steps: (1) retrieval of the liver from the donor mouse, (2) back table surgery, and (3) implantation of the liver into the recipient. Among these recipient procedures, vascular anastomosis poses the greatest challenge. While the suprahepatic inferior vena cava anastomosis is typically completed by hand stitching2, the infrahepatic inferior vena cava (IHIVC) and portal vein (PV) can be reconstructed more efficiently using plastic cuffs in place of hand-sewn sutures.
The anhepatic period signifies the interval between the removal of the recipient&#39;s native liver and the graft implantation. To ensure consistent results, it is imperative to limit the anhepatic time to less than 20 min. Consequently, studies employing this model have been confined to specific institutions3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Among the various stages of MOLT, achieving smooth PV and IHIVC reconstruction is crucial for minimizing anhepatic time and ensuring successful transplantation.
PV and IVC reconstruction is generally carried out using vascular cuffs since the cuff technique simplifies vascular anastomosis compared to hand-sewn sutures2,5,8. The technique involved in vascular cuff preparation and secure attachment of the cuff significantly impacts the complexity of recipient vascular reconstruction. Our objective is to provide detailed visual guidance for numerous technical tips related to the cuff method, thereby reducing the learning curve. These video clips will provide a clear understanding of how to attach the cuff to the vessels and reconstruct the PV and IHIVC during recipient surgery.

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cold Ischemia and Warm Reperfusion Injury in Fatty Liver Transplantation

Vascular Reconstruction with the Cuff Technique in Mouse Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

We focus our research on liver transplantation, in particular on cold ischemia and warm reperfusion injury. We use mouse liver transplantation model as a research tool for this purpose. Because the technique is difficult, so it can take a long time to learn and to achieve consistent results.In the future, we'd like to conduct research on fatty liver transplantation. This is still a problem to overcome on clinical liver transplantation.

Portal Vein and Infrahepatic Inferior Vena Cava Reconstruction in Mouse Liver Transplantation

After extracting the native liver from the anesthetized recipient mouse, gently grasp the recipient's liver portal vein or PV edge using pen forceps and secure it with a vice. Pass an eight oh silk thread around the PV and place a vascular clamp on it. Create a one fourth circumferential section approximately 0.5 millimeters from the PV edge.While passing saline through the hole, use a specialized instrument to enlarge the hole. Grip the cuff handle using straight forceps and insert it into the lumen. Then secure the cuff with an 8.0 silk thread.Remove the vascular clamp from PV to allow reperfusion of the liver. Finally, carefully release the pen forceps to complete the PV reconstruction. After positioning the liver lobe, Move the pen forceps attached to the recipient IHIVC dorsal to the graft's right lower lobe.Then secure the IHIVC with a vice. Rub away any remaining liver tissue around the recipient's IHIVC with a cotton swab. Pass an 8.0 silk thread around the recipient's IHIVC.Create a one fourth circumferential section, approximately 0.5 millimeters from the recipient's IHIVC edge. After flushing the lumen with saline, insert the cuff into the IHIVC lumen. Carefully secure the cuff with an 8.0 silk thread.Finally, remove the vascular clamp and pen forceps. The preservation of the graft at cold temperatures for one hour resulted in serum alanine aminotransferase levels, averaging approximately 2000 units per liter at six hours post reperfusion. A survival rate of 100%was observed at seven days following transplantation.

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Mouse orthotopic liver transplantation is an effective methodology for investigating the underlying mechanisms of liver ischemia and reperfusion injury. ...