Surgical research in orthotopic liver transplantation: experiences in the pig model.

Since the very beginning of liver transplantation in humans, research in animals has had close relationship with clinical practice. Results obtained in animals have been transferred to the clinics and problems borne in the clinics have been addressed again in animals for to be answered clearly. In this review the authors report their experience of transplantation in the pig model and discuss the significance of a team cooperation in the laboratory as a preparatory step for clinical practice.