Venous air embolism during orthotopic liver transplantation in a child.
OBJECTIVE
A first case of massive venous air embolism is reported as a complication of orthotopic liver transplantation in a 17-month-old child during the dissection phase.


METHODS
During the hepatic dissection phase, perforation of suprahepatic veins was responsible for an air embolism with a decrease of P(ET)CO2 (27 to 6 mmHg), hypoxaemia (SpO2 decreased from 100 to 88%), and haemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure decreased from 85 to 50 mmHg, central venous pressure increased from 6 to 10 mmHg). Central venous aspiration of air was unsuccessful but immediate resolution occurred and neurological outcome was normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Venous air embolism during the dissection phase of liver transplantation in children is a risk that should be considered
Souron
V
V
Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation Chirurgicale, Hôptial de Bicêtre, Kremlin, Bicetre, France.
Fletcher
D
D
Goujard
E
E
Ecoffey
C
C
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen