Abstract: Objective To construct a three-dimensional (3D) liver model of Wuzhishan mini-pig for virtual liver surgeries.
Methods The biliary tree and hepatic arteries of Wuzhishan mini-pig were perfused with perchloroethylene and ethyl acetate
along mixed with lead oxide, and the hepatic vein and portal vein were perfused with a mixture of dental base acrylic resin
and lead oxide. The sectional images were acquired using a 64-slice spiral CT, and the 3D models of the portal vein, hepatic
vein, biliary tree, hepatic arteries, and liver parenchyma were reconstructed using Mimics software; the resection image of the
liver was also designed. The intrahepatic vascular cast was prepared by corroding the soft tissue with hydrochloric acid.
Results and Conclusion The intrahepatic vascular cast obtained fully retained the vascular architecture and displayed the
fifth- and sixth-level branches of the hepatic vein and portal vein and the third- and fourth-level branches of the artery and bile
duct. The 3D model of liver allowed stereoscopic and accurate display of the third- and fourth-level branches of the hepatic
vein and portal vein and the second- and third-level branches of the artery and bile duct. The 3D model showed fewer
branches but represented the structural distribution identical to the cast. The 3D model could clearly display the spatial
relationship between the vasculature and the soft tissue in virtual resection of the liver tissues, and thus provides a useful
model for training of laparoscopic liver resection.