[Massive bleeding from the ruptured liver and the inferior vena cava controlled with autotransfusion and cerebral ischemia treated with mild hypothermia].

A patient suffered massive bleeding from the ruptured liver and laceration of the inferior vena cava due to traffic accident, and developed hypotension and decreased level of consciousness. The patient was transferred to our hospital for an emergency operation against intra-abdominal massive bleeding. This massive bleeding was controlled with autotransfusion using washing salvaging autotransfusion device (Cell Savor). Suspected brain ischemia was treated with intended mild hypothermia. When blood pressure decreased to 30 mmHg of systolic pressure over 7 minutes during the operation, suggesting the possible brain ischemia, mild hypothermia was maintained at 33.8 degrees C. Total bleeding volume was 16,700 ml, and total transfused volume was 10,700 ml. Of total transfused volume, 4,500 ml was washed salvaged blood using the intraoperative autotransfusion device. No neurological deficit was found during the postoperative course. The patient was discharged uneventfully on the 20th postoperative day. In conclusion, intraoperative autotransfusion with washed salvaged blood is a useful method for treatment of massive bleeding, and mild hypothermia is efficacious for protecting the brain from ischemia resulting from accidental hypotension.