Does patient position during liver surgery influence the risk of venous air embolism?

Background: It is generally believed that positioning of the patient in a h ead-down tilt (Trendelenbeg position) decreases the likelihood of a venous air embolism during Liver resection. Methods: The physiological effect of variation in horizontal attitude on ce ntral and hepatic venous pressure was measured in 10 patients during liver surgery. Hemodynamic indices were recorded with the operating table in the horizontal, 20 degrees head-up and 20 degrees head-down positions. Results: There was no demonstrable pressure gradient between the hepatic an d central Venous levels in any of the positions. The absolute pressures did , however, vary in a predictable way, being highest in the head-down and lo west during head-up tilt. However, on no occasion was a negative intralumin al pressure recorded. Conclusion: The effect on venous pressures caused by the change in patient positioning alone during liver surgery does not affect the risk of venous a ir embolism. (C) 2001 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.