A Surgical Model of Fulminant Hepatic Failure in the Rabbit: Different Effects of End-to-Side versus Small-Diameter Side-to-Side Portacaval Shunt

Abstract

We developed a rabbit model of fulminant hepatic failure by way of a two-staged total liver devascularisation procedure. For the first-stage procedure (portosystemic shunting), the clinical, biochemical and electro-encephalographic courses in 6 rabbits (group I) with an end-to-side portacaval shunt (ETS-PCS), 6 rabbits (group II) with a small-diameter side-to-side portacaval shunt (STS-PCS) and 6 rabbits (group III)with the same STS-PCS and 48 h of pretreatment with oxytetracycline were investigated and compared to 6 sham rabbits (group IV). The limited survival, the fall in clotting factors and the rapid development of hyperammonaemia with encephalopathy within 48 h in group I point to ETS-PCS-associated ischaemic liver necrosis. Group II showed improved survival, but was associated with portosystemic encephalopathy. Rabbits in group III survived portosystemic surgery without development of marked encephalopathy. In all animals of group III, the second-stage procedure (tightening of the loose ligature around the afferent hepatic vessels) could be performed, and a suitable model of fulminant hepatic failure was obtained.

An Experimental Large Animal Model for the Assessment of Bioartificial Liver Support Systems in Fulminant Hepatic Failure

“…However, such animals seldom show features of hepatic encephalopathy, but rather of respiratory failure (26). Furthermore, problems encountered with partial hepatectomy models are common and universal to rabbit, dog and pig (27)(28)(29)(30). Low reproducibility and lack of the clinical pattern seen in man raises serious questions regarding massive liver resection models and their relevance in pathophysiologi c studies in acute liver failure (1).…”

Binding of the ligand [3H]MK-801 to the MK-801 binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor during experimental encephalopathy from acute liver failure and from acute hyperammonemia in the rabbit

“…Acute liver failure was induced by a two-stage liver devascularization procedure as described earlier (Fick et al, 1987;Fick et al, 1989). Under anesthesia a laparotomy was performed: a loose ligature was placed around the hepatoduodenal ligament and guided through a plastic tube through the abdominal wall to the subcutaneous layer of the left subcostal region, and a small-diameter (5 mm) side-to-side portacaval shunt was constructed.…”

A Good Model of Hepatic Failure after Excessive Hepatectomy in Mice

“…is not yet well understood, and so, to clarify it, numerous animal models have been established [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Previously, we clearly demonstrated that 90%-hepatectomy is a safety limit for rat hepatectomy.…”