Background. A large animal model of total hepatectomy is suitable to test the efficacy of any system designed to support patients in hepatic coma. The models previously described in the pig entail a significant degree of surgical trauma, which might alter the evolution of the ensuing hepatic failure and compromise the reproducibility of the model. Methods. Twenty-eight pigs underwent a total hepatectomy according to a new technique. A model was considered satisfactory when it required no blood transfusions and when hematologic and hemodynamic parameters determined before, during, and until 4 hours after hepatectomy showed no significant variations. Moreover, to revive the pattern of hepatic coma produced in the anhepatic model, 7 pigs were monitored until brain death occurred. Results. Twenty-five pigs (89%) underwent a smooth total hepatectomy with minimal variations of the selected parameters. They constituted a highly homogeneous group. Survival of the 7 pigs, followed up until brain death occurred, ranged from 625 to 1595 minutes (mean 1013.57 minutes). The animals remained stable until a few hours before brain death, an event heralded by a final sharp increase of the serum ammonia level and by a well-evident decline of both arterial pressure and liver-dependent clotting factors. Conclusions. This technique of total hepatectomy allows the construction of a reproducible model of anhepaty suitable to test the efficacy of any system conceived to temporarily replace hepatic functions.

A new technique for total hepatectomy in the pig for testing liver support devices

FILIPPONI, FRANCO;BOGGI, UGO;VISTOLI, FABIO;CAMPANI, DANIELA;Mosca F.
1999-01-01

Abstract

Background. A large animal model of total hepatectomy is suitable to test the efficacy of any system designed to support patients in hepatic coma. The models previously described in the pig entail a significant degree of surgical trauma, which might alter the evolution of the ensuing hepatic failure and compromise the reproducibility of the model. Methods. Twenty-eight pigs underwent a total hepatectomy according to a new technique. A model was considered satisfactory when it required no blood transfusions and when hematologic and hemodynamic parameters determined before, during, and until 4 hours after hepatectomy showed no significant variations. Moreover, to revive the pattern of hepatic coma produced in the anhepatic model, 7 pigs were monitored until brain death occurred. Results. Twenty-five pigs (89%) underwent a smooth total hepatectomy with minimal variations of the selected parameters. They constituted a highly homogeneous group. Survival of the 7 pigs, followed up until brain death occurred, ranged from 625 to 1595 minutes (mean 1013.57 minutes). The animals remained stable until a few hours before brain death, an event heralded by a final sharp increase of the serum ammonia level and by a well-evident decline of both arterial pressure and liver-dependent clotting factors. Conclusions. This technique of total hepatectomy allows the construction of a reproducible model of anhepaty suitable to test the efficacy of any system conceived to temporarily replace hepatic functions.
1999
Filipponi, Franco; Boggi, Ugo; Meacci, L; Burchielli, S; Vistoli, Fabio; Bellini, R; Prota, C; Colizzi, L; Kusmic, C; Campani, Daniela; Gneri, C; Trivella, Mg; Mosca, F.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/166502
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