[Coagulation disturbances after subtotal or total hepatectomy in the dog (author's transl)]

The authors relate 15 cases of blood coagulation disturbances among three groups of animals after 80%, 90% or total hepatectomy. Animals in group I, after 80% hepatectomy, were sacrified between the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Group II animals, with 90% hepatectomy, survived for periods ranging from 18 to 24 hours. In group III, after total hepatectomy, survival varied between 30 and 40 hours. The coagulation disturbances which were observed following 80% hepatectomy were spontaneously compatible with the survival of the animals. Following 90% and total hepatectomy the resulting disturbances were constantly severe enough to limit survival time. Supportive procoagulant therapy associated with sequential heparin administration seems justified by the insufficient biosynthesis of clotting factors and their unavoidable consumption as a result of localized then disseminated intravascular coagulation and secondary fibrinolysis.