VENOUS AIR-EMBOLISM DURING ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION IN A CHILD

Purpose: A first case of massive venous air embolism is reported as a complication of orthotopic liver transplantation in a 17-month-old chi ld during the dissection phase. Clinical features: During the hepatic dissection phase, perforation of suprahepatic veins was responsible fo r an air embolism with a decrease of PETCO2 (27 to 6 mmHg), hypoxaemia (SpO(2) decreased from 100 to 88%), and haemodynamic instability (sys tolic blood pressure decreased from 85 to 50 mmHg, central venous pres sure increased from 6 to 10 mmHg). Central venous aspiration of air wa s unsuccessful but immediate resolution occurred and neurological outc ome was normal. Conclusion: Venous air embolism during the dissection phase of liver transplantation in children is a risk that should be co nsidered.