Objective To decrease the operative difficulty, with the purpose of looking for an orthotopic liver autotransplantation model which not only materializes the liver transplantation but also possesses higher survival rate. Methods This model was established via portal vein perfusion in thirty rats, and from which the result of the liver after perfusion, the operative time and the survival rate were observed. Liver tissues were researched at 24 h after operation under the light microscope. Results This model was easy to be perfused, the operative time was (48±3.0) min and the survival rate was 96.7% (29/30). The structure of hepatic tissue was basically normal with a little hydropic degeneration under the light microscope. Few erythrocytes residual occurred in the interlobular arteries under the light microscope. Conclusion The orthotopic liver autotransplantation model via portal vein perfusion has an exclusively blockage pattern which possesses a higher survival rate. It prevents the injury of immunological rejection and purely reflects the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion. But it is better to be applied in the non-hepatic artery anastomosis or the research nothing to do with the hepatic artery because the hepatic artery does not have sufficient perfusion.
Objective To summarize the methods, safety, and efficacy of the ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in the treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Method A retrospective analysis of clinical data and follow-up data in 21 cases who received ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in the treatment of HAE from February 2014 to December 2016 in West China Hospital was performed. Results All the patients successfully underwent ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation and no death happened during operation. The median weight of remnant liver was 701.4 g (360–1 300 g), the average operation time were 13.6 h (9.4–19.5 h), the anhepatic phase time were 180–455 min with median of 314 min. The average of intraoperative blood loss were 2 379 mL (1 200–6 000 mL). The average of patients entered red blood cell suspension were 10.6 u (0–39.5 u), the average of fresh frozen plasma were 1 377 mL (0–6 050 mL) , of which 7 patients received autologous blood transfusion, with average of 1 578 mL (500–3 700 mL). The average of postoperative hospital stay were 23.5 days (4–51 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients during hospitalization, and 4 cases of postoperative complications were in grade Clavien-Dindo Ⅲ or above, 2 cases of grade Ⅴ (died). During the follow-up period, 19 patients were followed for a median of 16.2 months (3–38 months), no HAE recurrence or metastasis was found, only 1 patient were lost follow-up after surgery for 12 months. Massive ascites and hyponatremia were found in 1 patient who was diagnosis as left hepatic vein stenosis at the end of the 3 months after operation. The patient was cured after interventional treatment of hepatic vein stent implantation and angioplasty. Conclusions The ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation provides radical treatment for patients with advanced HAE, but the surgery is difficult and has high risk of postoperative complications. The detailed preoperative evaluation, intraoperative pipeline reconstruction reasonably, and fine postoperative management can improve the patient’s survival, and reduce the rate of complications.