Prevention of delayed gastric emptying after living donor left hepatectomy

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is uncomfortable complication after left hepatectomy. The aim of this study is to show our strategy to prevent DGE after living donor left hepatectomy.

The cases were divided into 3 groups as without any prevention (control group), prevented DGE with putting omentum between the liver and pylorus (O group), and with putting a Seprafilm (S group). The incidence of DGE and the CT finding 1 month after surgery were retrospectively compared between the groups.

The incidence of DGE was significantly decreased in O and S group than control group (P < 0.05, Fisher's test). In S group, fluid collection along the cutting surface of the liver was observed on CT significantly more than other groups, but the incidence of bile leakage was adversely less in S groups than other groups, meaning that collected fluid in S group were presumed as the ascites without bile.

Omentum patching and Seprafilm were equally effective to prevent DGE after living donor left hepatectomy, and Seprafilm might be better because it is more physiologic.