Temporary metabolic support by extracorporeal blood therapy for liver failure after surgery

With the aim of temporarily assisting deterioration of liver function developing after surgery, extracorporeal blood purification therapy (EBPT) (plasma exchange and/or hemofiltration) was carried out in 26 postoperative patients. Initiation of EBPT was instituted according to the criteria of either a serum bilirubin greater than 15 mg/dl or Grade 2 or more coma. Plasma exchange was carried out 235 times in 23 patients and hemofiltration was performed 28 times for seven patients. In addition, hemodialysis and CAPD were linked in eight cases. Plasma exchange was found to control the progression of DIC and endotoxemia. Nine patients (35%) were weaned from EBPT. In the survivors the levels of blood ammonia and number of major complications were significantly lower compared to the nonsurvivors. Three patients treated only with hemofiltration were all lost. Among co-morbid factors present, incidences of renal failure, respiratory failure, and associated liver cirrhosis significantly increased poor clinical outcome on EBPT for postoperative liver failure.