Orthotopic liver transplantation with selective use of venovenous bypass.
BACKGROUND
To determine the utility of selective use of venovenous bypass (VVB), an algorithm based upon hemodynamic criteria was instituted at Stanford University Medical Center: the bypass was used if the systolic blood pressure decreased below 100 mm Hg with a trial of caval and portal clamping.


METHODS
Eleven consecutive patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with use of VVB on a selective basis; using the hemodynamic exclusion criteria, none required VVB. A group of 20 patients undergoing OLT with VVB served as historical controls.


RESULTS
Overall patient and graft survival were identical in both groups (75%). Avoidance of VVB decreased operative and warm ischemia time and decreased peak transaminase and total bilirubin values, but increased rates of intraoperative blood loss. However, the absolute numbers of blood products administered were not different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective use of VVB for OLT does not incur increased morbidity or mortality. Potential advantages include cost savings with decreased operative and anesthetic time.
D000328:Adult; D001367:Axillary Vein; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein; D006085:Graft Survival; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies