【Abstract】ObjectiveTo investigate the causes of death in recipient rats after modified orthotopic liver transplantations and the countermeasure.MethodsTwo hundred and ten orthotopic liver transplantations were performed in Wistar and SD rats weighing 250～300 g through modified Kamada’s cuff technique, and to investigate the causes of death and preventive measures. ResultsIt took about (41±5) min, (13±2) min and (45±5) min for donor operation，donated liver trimming and recipient operation respectively. The anhepatic phase was (20±5) min. The 4week survival after transplantation was 90.5%. Nineteen rats died during and after transplantation. The causes of death included: bleeding of suprahepatic inferior vena cava (n=5 ), infrahepatic vena cava thrombosis (n=2), biliary obstruction (n=3 ), portal vein constriction and thrombosis (n=2 ), liver injury(n=1), bleeding of left subphrenic vein (n=2 ), infection (n=2 ), excessively deep anesthesia (n=1), and respiratory failure (n=1). ConclusionThe sophisticated microsurgical technique and the delicate surgical manipulation are very important in preventing operative complications, and the short anhepatic phase of recipient is the key to animal survival, and proper anesthesia is also important to the success of operations. Improving the condition of operation and reasonable use of antibiotics are necessary in preventing infections.