Biomechanical Study of Hepatic Portal Vein in Humans and Pigs and Its Value in Liver Transplantation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.10.097
• Publication Date: 2009-06-22T14:35:12Z
• Authors: P.J. Wang; W.C. Li; G.M. Xi; H.Q. Wang; Z.H. Zhang; B.C. Yao; W. Tang; Z.H. Deng; X.H. Zhang
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Aging; Portal Vein; Swine; Body Weight; Transplantation, Heterologous; Organ Size; Tissue Donors; Liver Transplantation; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Liver; Cadaver; Animals; Humans; Female

Our aim was to explore the biomechanical properties of hepatic portal vein (HPV) in humans and pigs to provide evidence for liver xenotransplantation.The pressure-diameter relationships of HPV from 6 deceased donors and 36 pigs were measured on a biomechanical experimental stand to calculate the elastic modulus and compliance. Each sample sliced into 5-mm frozen sections was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E). Geometric morphological indices were measured with a computer image analysis system.The length, wall thickness, and diameters of HPV in pigs increased from 1 to 6 months (P < .05). There were no significant differences between 6-month-old pigs and adult humans (P > .05). The incremental elastic modulus of the pig HPV increased with age, whereas the compliance decreased. There was no difference in the elastic modulus of HPV between 5- to 6-month-old pigs and humans (P > .05). Also, there was no difference in HPV compliance between 6-month-old pigs and humans (P > .05).Our results suggested that the biomechanical properties of HPV in 6-month-old pigs were similar to those of humans. From a biomechanical perspective, anastomosis of corresponding HPV from 6-month-old pigs to humans may be feasible in the process of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation.