Extended liver resection and hepatic ischemia in pigs:: A new, potentially reversible model to induce acute liver failure and study artificial liver support systems

Background: Extended hepatectomy is a valid model for the study of acute liver failure. Since the porcine liver is comparable in size, morphology and anatomy to the human liver, we describe a technique employing hepatic ischemia and extended liver resection to induce acute liver failure in a porcine model as a means of studying bioartificial liver support. Method: A subtotal (75-80% resection) extended left hepatectomy was performed in 7 pigs after 60 min warm ischemia of the future remnant liver. After resection, the animals were given the best supportive care and observed until death. Results: All animals died within 18-48 h, none as a result of surgical complications. Gross appearance of the liver showed severe steatosis of the right lateral lobe, and histology revealed severe coagulative necrosis of the whole lobule. Conclusion: This technique of extended liver resection after hepatic ischemia in the porcine model may be useful for studies of potentially reversible acute liver failure and experimental bioartificial support. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.