Cirrhotic livers can tolerate 30 minutes ischaemia at normal environmental temperature.

OBJECTIVE

To find out the safe time limit for Pringle's manoeuvre (compression of the hepatic artery and portal vein in the gastrohepatic omentum to halt bleeding) under normal environmental conditions for limited resection of cirrhotic livers.

DESIGN

Prospective open study.

SETTING

University hospital, Japan.

SUBJECTS

Pringle's manoeuvre was used in 73 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis (Child's classification: A = 44, B = 24, and C = 5), and in 20 patients it was not used (Child's classification: A = 11, B = 5, and C = 4).

INTERVENTIONS

Limited hepatic resections were done with the duration of Pringle's manoeuvre ranging from 5 to 41 minutes. 15 patients simultaneously underwent 17 other abdominal operations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Child's classification, blood loss during operation, and duration of hepatic ischaemia.

RESULTS

The morbidity and mortality with Pringle's manoeuvre were 1 (2%) and 0 in Child's A cirrhosis, 7 (29%) and 2 (8%) in Child's B cirrhosis, and 2 (40%) and 1 (20%) in Child's C cirrhosis. The higher rates in class B and C patients were ascribed to the amount of blood loss rather than to Pringle's manoeuvre.

CONCLUSION

Pringle's manoeuvre can be used safely for up to 30 minutes during limited resection of the cirrhotic liver.