Objective: To confirm the effect of auxiliary partial heterotopic liver transplantation (APHLT) in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).
Method: On 30 rat models of FHF, 62% of partial liver grafts were implanted below the host residual liver with 28 successful operations. The survival rate, biochemical test for liver function, (99m)Tc-HIDA liver scintigraphy and pathological changes of the grafts and host livers were studied.
Result: The survival rate in 48 hours was 71.4% compared with 0% in 15 FHF animals. 14 days after the operation, the host liver regenerated obviously and the liver function recovered while the graft shrank gradually. 30 days later, the graft became fibrosis completely.
Conclusion: Depending on the temporary function support of the graft, the native residual liver could regenerate and restore its function while the graft tended to atrophy.