PLASMA ADSORPTION TO CHARCOAL AND ION-EXCHANGE RESIN FOR TREATING POSTOPERATIVE HEPATIC-FAILURE

Postoperative hepatic failure was treated by plasma adsorption (PA) to charcoal and ion-exchange resin in five patients suffering from pancr eatic or biliary carcinoma that was not accompanied by liver cirrhosis . Four of these patients recovered completely from the hepatic failure , while the fifth patient recovered sufficiently to be taken off the t reatment for three weeks. Reactions in platelet counts and circulatory system during and after the PA treatment were minimal in all these pa tients. PA proved to be an effective liver support system for treating non-cirrhotic patients with postoperative hepatic failure.