a technique of orthotopic rat liver transplantation has been shown in a recent journal of visualized experiments paper .
portal vein and infra - hepatic vena cava anastomoses were performed using the quick - linker assisted cuff technique .
this technique was chosen among other revisions of the original kamada 's technique , as it allows for easier and quicker anastomoses , results in a better hemodynamic , and can be implemented with a shorter learning curve .
the quick - linker technique requires the use of a handle , an approximator and cuffs , all of which can be designed from common laboratory material according to the technique described in the present report .
drill a 2 mm hole with a spherical diamond bit , mounted on a high - speed drill . widen the hole with fusiform or conic diamond bits .
figures 1 and 2 can be used as stencils . convert the drill into a mini bench grinder and
cut off half of one branch under the microscope using the high - speed mini bench grinder .
make symmetrical grooves on both sides to allow for the handle to slide in completely .  
cut a longitudinal slit in the long arm and check that the center of the long arm and a well - positioned handle are on a same axis .  
make the branch as thin as possible and round off the piece with the low speed rotating brush .  
take fine - bore polyethylene tubing and round off one edge with an nr 10 scalpel .  
design a grove 0.5 mm from the edge , and carefully cut out a slope going down to the grove .  
drill a 2 mm hole with a spherical diamond bit , mounted on a high - speed drill . widen the hole with fusiform or conic diamond bits .
figures 1 and 2 can be used as stencils . convert the drill into a mini bench grinder and
the approximator is obtained by modifying straight surgical klemmer 's or kocher 's forceps . cut off half of one branch under the microscope using the high - speed mini bench grinder .
make symmetrical grooves on both sides to allow for the handle to slide in completely .  
cut a longitudinal slit in the long arm and check that the center of the long arm and a well - positioned handle are on a same axis .  
make the branch as thin as possible and round off the piece with the low speed rotating brush .
take fine - bore polyethylene tubing and round off one edge with an nr 10 scalpel .  
design a grove 0.5 mm from the edge , and carefully cut out a slope going down to the grove .  
this problem was due to the fact that the ring of the handle was too narrow , and it has been solved by setting the narrowest part of the handle ring at 0.5 mm .
if printed with a scale 1:1 can be used to guide the handle shaping . click here to view larger figure .
if printed with a scale 1:1 can be used to guide the handle shaping . click here to view larger figure .
graft 's v.porta should be secured to the central groove , while recipient 's vessel to the lateral one .
the present report describes the design and building of the quick - linker system for easier rat liver transplantation .
rat liver transplantation is a popular model with 125 to 180 related papers published yearly since the early 1990 's ( www.pubmed.com ) .
it allows for a wide range of experiments including the exploration of immunological and graft preservation issues .
the use of the " quick - linker " kit allows for easier and quicker anastomoses with guaranteed intima - to - intima contact . a detailed description and discussion of the technical steps of a rat liver transplantation
the quick - linker kit can be built at low price from common laboratory material .
the main challenge encountered has been related the breakdown of one handle during the final brushing , and that problem has been solved by setting the narrowest part of the handle ring at 0.5 mm ( figures 1 and 2 show appropriate sizes ) . regarding the blade quality , only stainless steel should be considered .
although slightly less flexible compared to the average carbon steel blade , stainless steel blades do not develop rust , allowing a lifetime use of the handles .   of note ,
the design of the current handles and cuffs is the result of a process , which has led to the proposed sizes , allowing for the most efficient anastomoses .
minimal variations can be tolerated in terms of length , with a usual length of about 4 mm ( figures 3 and 4 ) .  
regarding the approximator , the selected kocher 's forcep should have handles at least 4 cm from the fulcrum .
this allows for a safe closure of the rack outside the animal 's abdomen .  
overall , the proposed device can allow easier vein anastomoses for the transplantation of liver and other types of grafts in rats .
 orthotopic rat liver transplantation is a popular model , which has been shown in a recent jove paper with the use of the " quick - linker " device . 
 this technique allows for easier venous cuff - anatomoses after a reasonable learning curve . 
 the device is composed of two handles , which are carved out from scalpel blades , one approximator , which is obtained by modifying kocher 's forceps , and cuffs designed from fine - bore polyethylene tubing . 
 the whole process can be performed at a low - cost using common laboratory material . 
 the present report provides a step - by - step protocol for the design of the required pieces and includes stencils . 
Introduction
Protocol
1. Handle: Design and Shaping
2. Approximator: Design and Shaping
3. Cuffs: Design and Shaping
Representative Results
Discussion
Disclosures