Portal blood flow in man during surgery, measured by a modification of the continuous thermodilution method

The continuous thermodilution method was applied to measurement of peroperative portal venous blood flow in man in relation to hepatic surgery during steady-state enflurane nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Portal-vein catheterization through the umbilical vein for cytostatic administration and blood flow measurements was successful in 14 out of 17 patients with primary or secondary liver tumours. Mean portal blood flow was 1195 +/- 179 ml X min-1 (mean +/- SEM), corresponding to 17.6 +/- 2.9 ml X min-1 X kg-1 body weight. Mean oxygen consumption in the prehepatic splanchnic area was 0.27 +/- 0.04 ml X min-1 X kg-1. No significant complications were associated with the catheterization or flow recording procedures. The described method offers possibilities for haemodynamic and pharmacokinetic investigations in man.