INTERMITTENT VASCULAR EXCLUSION OF THE LIVER (WITHOUT VENA-CAVA CLAMPING) DURING MAJOR HEPATECTOMY

Intermittent vascular exclusion of the liver (IVEL) combines clamping of the hepatic pedicle with clamping of the main hepatic veins without interruption of caval flow. In this retrospective study, eight cases of total IVEL and eight of partial IVEL were analysed (involving only the middle and left hepatic veins) during major hepatectomy for malign ant tumours. Liver parenchyma was pathological in nine cases. IVEL was feasible in 16 of the 18 attempts and was efficient in reducing bleed ing during hepatectomy in 15 cases. Mean duration of IVEL was 60.2 (ra nge 37-140) min, mean blood loss was 1230 (range 300-2800)ml and there were no postoperative complications related to the procedure. The maj or advantages of this technique of liver vascular exclusion (good tole rance and possibility of long duration) merit its inclusion in the lis t of different clamping techniques available for use during hepatectom y.