An experimental study of auxiliary partial liver allotransplantation in dogs

Summary  Different experimental models of auxiliary partial liver transplantation (APLT) in dogs are described in the present paper. The results of paraorthotopic APLT with the graft placed in the right parahepatic fossa were relatively favourable because of good reestablishment of blood supply and drainage of bile duct. In this group, however, the survival time of the dogs submitted to reestablishment of arterial and portal circulation was longer than of those submitted to arterial revascularization only. Histologically, donor hepatocellular regeneration was observed in the former, but there was no such regeneration in the latter. It has further been proved that splanchnic blood supply is of importance to the viability of the graft and the survival of the animal. The experimental results, at the same time, show that auxiliary transplantation of 37 % of the liver is not only of suitable bulk for transplantation, but also provides adequate liver function and promotes regeneration of the host liver.