Novel Magnetic Rings for Rapid Vascular Reconstruction in Canine Liver Transplantation Model

Objective: Magnetic rings were used for rapid vascular reconstruction in a canine liver transplantation model. Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult mongrel dogs weighing 13 to 16 kg were randomly selected as donors or recipients of transplantations. The recipients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 10) had magnetic rings used for vascular reconstruction without venovenous bypass; group B (n = 6) had vascular reconstruction performed by continuous suturing with splenojugular venovenous bypass. Results: In group A, the entire operative period was 3.24 ± 0.49 hours, the durations of clamping the portal vein and the infrahepatic vena cava of the recipient were 5.89 ± 2.27 minutes and 3.89 ± 0.73 minutes, respectively. In group B, the entire operative period was 4.12 ± 0.51 hours with the duration of clamping portal vein and infrahepatic vena cava, 28.33 ± 6.04 minutes and 12.16 ± 3.72 minutes (P < .01 vs group A). In group A, mean arterial pressure dropped during the anhepatic phase but recovered quickly after reperfusion. The fluid infusion was about 730.56 ± 50.56 mL in the group A and a pressor agent was unnecessary. In group B, blood pressure dropped during the anhepatic phase and slowly recovered. The fluid infusion was about 2241.67 ± 390.78 mL and a pressor agent was used to maintain the blood pressure of the recipient. No twist or thrombus was discovered in the anastomoses group A and the endothelium at the site of anastomosis was entire. In group B, errhysis was common in the anastomotic stomas. Nine of 10 dogs in group A survived more than 3 days, the longest being 8 days, whereas four of the six dogs in group B survived less than 3 days. Conclusion: The results showed that the anhepatic time was significantly shortened (about 5.89 ± 2.27 minutes) in group A compared with group B and venovenous bypass was unnecessary. Magnetic rings could be used for rapid vascular reconstruction in canine liver transplantation model. The long-term results of this procedure should be clarified before it is applied in clinical practice in the future.