Irreversible Character of the Late Changes after Hepatectomy

Abstract

We have endeavored to learn whether rabbits manifesting the symptoms characteristic of the advanced stage of liver insufficiency 1 , 2 can be clinically improved by the circulation of their blood through the livers of healthy animals or by cross transfusion with normal rabbits.

“Liver transfusion.” In an initial series of 14 experiments, rabbits, hepatectomized under ether and with cannulae placed in the left carotid artery and left jugular vein, were given sufficient glucose to maintain the blood sugar level well above normal. Fourteen to 24 hours later, when the characteristic signs of advanced hepatic insufficiency in the rabbit 1 , 2 had appeared, the portal vein and vena cava connecting with the liver of a healthy animal were rapidly cannulated, the hepatic artery was tied and the organ was removed. It was submerged at once in a bath of paraffin oil at 40° C., and connected with the circulation of the liverless animal by means of the cannulae already present in the carotid artery and jugular vein of the latter. In this way the circulating blood of the liverless animal was passed for as long as an hour through the freshly removed liver of the healthy rabbit.

Of 14 experiments 4 were carried to completion without lapses of technique which might render the findings questionable. In none of the 14 did clinical improvement of the liverless animals take place though the “transfused” liver was actively functioning as shown by a copious formation of bile.