[Animal modeling] - Establishment of orthotopic liver transplantation model in Mongolian gerbils

  Objective: To establish an orthotopic liver transplantation model in Mongolian gerbils.

  Methods: 100 pairs of Mongolian gerbils underwent orthotopic liver transplantation with modified double cannula method. The portal vein and the inferior vena cava were anastomosed with cannula, while the superior vena cava was sutured and the biliary tract was reconstructed with stent.

  Results: After the operation was mature, the operation time of donor was 34.56 ± 5.12 min, the time of liver repair and cannula placement was 15.43 ± 2.75 min, and the operation time of recipient was 58.37 ± 8.54 min, including 23.66 ± 4.47 min in anhepatic phase. The successful rate of operation was 86.67% (survival time was more than 6 hours).

  Conclusion: The modified double cannula method has successfully established the liver transplantation model of Mongolian gerbils. The successful rate of operation can be improved and the survival time of Mongolian gerbils can be prolonged through surgical skill training.