A microsurgical method for total hepatectomy in the rat.

A microsurgical three-stage-procedure for total hepatectomy in the rat is described. In the first stage, suprarenal ligature and division of the inferior vena cava is performed. A modified portacaval shunt is constructed in the second stage and total hepatectomy is performed in the third stage. Microsurgical technique is of great benefit in both the second and third stages, especially in choosing the proper location for the shunt and minimizing blood loss. All the rats survived to the 6-hour study and 65% of the rats survived to the 18-hour study, despite the fact that body temperature was upheld to a level of 35-37 degrees C. Based on our experience in 165 hepatectomies, we recommend our method for metabolic studies in anhepatic rats.