Application of a new sleeve anastomosis technique to graft rearterialization in rat liver transplantation.

A new rearterialized orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) model in the rat is described. The model involved performing a novel sleeve anastomosis technique for graft rearterialization which consisted of three extraluminal suture anastomoses between the recipient's proper and the donor's common hepatic artery. The total surgical time and in particular the time required to perform the arterial anastomosis was significantly reduced with the utilization of this technique. Hepatic artery patency was 100% and the 4-week survival rate was greater than 90%. Applying this novel sleeve anastomosis technique not only simplifies the rearterialized rat OLT but also ensures that blood flow to all vascular beds is undisturbed.