The Open Transplantation Journal

2009, 3 : 4-8
Published online 2009 February 18. DOI: 10.2174/1874418400903010004
Publisher ID: TOTRANSJ-3-4

Piggyback Technique with and without Inferior Vena Cava Cross- Clamping for Orthotopic Liver Transplant

Marcelo José Antunes Sette , Edmundo Pessoa de Almeida Lopes , Álvaro Antônio Bandeira Ferraz , Marcelo Maia , Mauricio Fernando Almeida Barros , Marcel Cerqueira Cesar Machado , Telesforo Bacchella , Renato Cury , Hoel Sette Jr and Edmundo Machado Ferraz
Rua Jader de Andrade, 227, 52061-060 - Recife, PE, Brazil

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare the piggyback technique with and without inferior vena cava cross-clamping (IVC-CC). Between 2002 and 2005 at two Hospitals in Brazil, 136 patients were submitted to orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), but 36 were excluded due to the employment of different techniques. Depending on the piggyback technique employed, the remaining 100 patients were divided into two groups: Group A (with IVC-CC) = 47 patients; and Group B (without IVC-CC) = 53 patients. The study revealed that the OLT using piggyback with IVC-CC took less time (1.39 hours) and required less blood transfusion, however a higher dosis of noradrenaline administration was necessary. No statistical differences were observed between the two groups regarding hemodynamic parameters during the surgery, or any impairment of the kidney and liver functions in the early post-operative period. In conclusion, the piggyback with IVCCC required less surgical time and less units of blood transfusion.

Keywords:

Piggyback, liver transplant, inferior vena cava.