Methods. Sixty-one hepatic resections were performed by using pedicle clamping alone or associated with total vascular exclusion of the liver. The mean duration of normothermic ischemia was 40±18 minutes (range, 7 to 98 minutes). Major resections were performed in 32 cases (52.5 % ).
Results. Operative mortality was nil. Major complications occurred in 11.5 % of cases. Twenty-five patients (41 % ) received intraoperative blood transfusions; mean ± SD of transfused blood units was 2.4±1.3. Twelve major resections (37.5 % ) did not require any transfusion. Postoperative changes in liver function test results were moderate and transient.
Conclusions. The results of this study confirm the benefit of vascular occlusion techniques in reducing intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications. The routine use of these techniques during hepatic resections, if applied properly and with the necessary precautions, is not associated with severe adverse effects on liver function.