A FACILITATED TECHNIQUE FOR HEPATECTOMY OF PORCINE LIVER

The swine liver has been used for experimental transplantation and as an ex vivo support system for patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Preservation of liver function after the cold storage period can be a ccomplished by complying with several key steps during the procurement : Keep the procedure short, provide extensive exposure, allow only min imal dissection, irrigate the portal system through the splenic vein a nd thereby obtain regular blood flow through the organ up to the clamp ing point, and ice the liver abruptly in situ. This retrieval techniqu e was used and evaluated in 10 pigs. The method allowed a short and su ccessful organ procurement while preserving normal function of the liv er ex vivo.