Objective:To improve orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat and conclude related operation skills.Methods:160 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation models in the rat were established by improved two-cuff technique.The anastomosis of portal vein between donor and recipient was performed by cuff technique.The same method was used to anastomose infrahepatic vena cava.The suprahepatic vena cava anastomosis was performed by suture and bile duct anastomosis was completed end to end by Teflon catheter.Results:The average time of donor operation

preparing graft and anhepatic period was 46min

24min and 21min respectively.The anastomosis time of suprahepatic vena cava

portal vein

infrahepatic vena cava

and bile duct was 13min

3min

4min

and 3min respectively.Main reasons for death during operation were pneumothorax

anesthesia and bleeding

and the successful rate of operation was 92.5%.Infection

obstruction of biliary tract and graft failure were attributed to the main causes for mortality after operation.Conclusion:Making orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat requires professional microsurgical techniques and careful operation.The improved two-cuff technique possesses advantages of short anhepatic phase

high operative successful rate

and is an ideal method for establishing this animal model.