OBJECTIVE: To develop a surgical model of acute hepatic failure.METHODS: Hepatectomy was performed in rats according to the method described by Higgins andAnderson. Ninety percent liver resection (removing the left lateral, median, and right lateral lobes)(n=7) and 95% liver resection leaving only half of the caudate lobe (n=13) were performed.Hypoglycemia was corrected by giving 20% glucose in the drinking water, coupled with repeatedintraperitoneal injection of 5% glucose adapted to glycemia. While the survival rate, alanine transaminase(ALT) and bilirubin were observed.RESULTS: 95% liver resection decreased survival rates of the rats from 86% (90% liver resection) to23% (P<0. 05), and increased bilirubin levels (4.04±2.84 mg/dL vs. 1.25±1.85 mg/dL [90%liver resection]).CONCLUSION: 95% liver resection is a good rat model for acute hepatic failure. OBJECTIVE: To develop a surgical model of acute hepatic failure. METHODS: Hepatectomy was performed in rats according to the method described by Higgins and Anderson. Ninety percent liver resection (removing the left lateral, median, and right lateral lobes) (n = 7) and 95% liver resection leaving only half of the caudate lobe (n = 13) were performed. Hypoglycemia was corrected by giving 20% ​​glucose in the drinking water, coupled with repeatedintraperitoneal injection of 5% glucose adapted to glycemia. While the survival rate, Alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin were observed .RESULTS: 95% of liver resection decreased survival rates of rats from 86% (90% liver resection) to 23% (P <0.05), and increased bilirubin levels (4.04 ± 2.84 mg / dL vs. 1.25 ± 1.85 mg / dL [90% liver resection]). CONCLUSION: 95% liver resection is a good rat model for acute hepatic failure.