A novel paper cuff for vascular reconstruction in canine liver transplantation.

A new, simple method of producing optimal cuffs using thin paper and then setting it in resin for vascular reconstruction in canine liver transplantation is herein described. Thin Paper was cut into a paper tape strip. By fixing both ends of this paper tape, a cylinder paper core of any desired size could thus be obtained. The paper core was immersed into a two-liquid mixture-type resin, removed, and left to harden. The paper cuffs (0.2 mm or less in thickness) were then used for anastomoses of the portal vein and the infrahepatic inferior vena cava in a series of 10 consecutive canine liver transplantations. Out of 10 animals, 8 survived for more than 5 days. The vascular patency in these 8 animals at the cuff anastomotic sites was 100% at postmortem. We therefore conclude that this paper cuff appears to be useful for various types of experimental liver transplantations in large animals.