A New Surgical Model of Acute Liver Failure in the Pig: Experimental Procedure and Analysis of Liver Injury

Abstract

In this research, the effects of portocaval shunt plus 70% partial hepatectomy were evaluated in 11 pigs. Hepatic coma and death from progressive liver failure occurred in 5 pigs between 14 and 64 h from surgery, whereas 3 pigs, which also showed symptoms of progressive liver failure, died of presumed gastric hemorrhage between 17 and 19 h after surgery. In 3 pigs, transient liver failure was followed by complete recovery, as judged by clinical, electroencephalographic and biochemical parameters. No case of death occurred among the pigs treated with portocaval shunt alone or 70% partial hepatectomy alone as controls. This new model for acute liver failure is reproducible, seems to be potentially reversible, causes death due to hepatic failure after a time period sufficiently long to allow for the institution of support procedures, is applied to a large animal and lacks relevant biohazard. Therefore, this model may be used to evaluate possible support procedures during acute liver failure.

Pancreatic injury after major hepatectomy: a study in a porcine model

“…Their findings suggested that portal congestion is not the cause of postoperative hyperamylasemia and that other factors, involving liver function and the extent of the resection, play a more important role. The present study used a modification of a previously described model of posthepatectomy liver failure [27]. The model combines major liver resection with ischemiareperfusion injury of a small liver remnant and invariably results in postoperative liver failure.…”

Significant Survival Prolongation in Pigs With Fulminant Hepatic Failure Treated With a Novel Microgravity‐based Bioartificial Liver

“…To create a partly reversible FHF model with limited survival by means of partial hepatectomy, 85-89% of the liver is removed. An alternative is a combined model of a less extensive partial hepatectomy supplemented with a liver toxin like galactosamine (19) or acetaminophen, or shunting of the portal (20,21) or arterial blood supply to bypass the remnant liver.…”

Animal models of fulminant hepatic failure: A critical evaluation

“…Most models maintain blood pressure when possible by means of fluids and inotropic support. The criteria for temperature 12 Olafsson et al 13 Tonnesen 15 Rozga et al 17 Filipponi et al 69 Hanid et al 16 De control, however, are less well defined. Olafsson et al 13 controlled temperature at 37.5ЊC Ϯ 5.0ЊC, whereas Nyberg et al 14 stipulated a more controlled range of 36ЊC to 37ЊC.…”