Objective  To establish a non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation model in Bama miniature pigs with high repeatability and stability.

  Methods  Twelve Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into the donor group (n=6) and recipient group (n=6). Pigs underwent non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation. The time of anhepatic phase during operation was shortened, blood pressure during anhepatic phase was stably maintained, and management of anesthesia and body fluid during operation were strengthened. The operation time, anhepatic phase and survival status of the recipients were observed and recorded. The intraoperative heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and changes in arterial blood gas analysis were monitored. The perioperative liver function was evaluated.

  Results  Among 6 Bama miniature pigs, 1 died from transplantation failure intraoperatively. The operation time of the remaining 5 pigs was (247±27) min and the time of anhepatic phase was (46±4) min. Three animals survived for more than 2 weeks. Compared with the preanhepatic phase, the heart rate of the animals was significantly faster, MAP was considerably reduced to (46±6) mmHg, blood pH value, base excess (BE) and HCO₃^- level were all significantly decreased and serum level of K⁺ was significantly elevated during the anhepatic phase (all P < 0.05). In the neohepatic phase, MAP of Bama miniature pigs was significantly increased, heart rate was dramatically slower.Blood pH value, BE, HCO₃^- level were significantly increased and serum level of K⁺ was significantly declined (all P < 0.05). During abdominal closure, MAP, blood gas indexes and serum level of K⁺ were almost recovered to those in the preanhepatic phase. Compared with preoperative levels, the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were significantly increased after operation (all P < 0.05), the change in AST was the most obvious, and it gradually decreased at postoperative 2 d. The level of γ-gutamyl transferase(GGT) did not significantly elevated. The level of total bilirubin (TB) was evidently elevated at postoperative 5 d. Compared with the preoperative levels, the levels of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly decreased after operation (both P < 0.05), and began to gradually increase at postoperative 1 d.

  Conclusions  The non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation model of Bama miniature pig is convenient, with highly reproducible and survival rate, which can be utilized as a standardized liver transplantation model.