Hepatic resection under in situ hemihepatic hypothermic perfusion with hepatoprotective agents

Hepatectomy was performed under in situ right lobar hypothermic perfusion combined with hepatoprotective agents in six patients who had hepatocellular carcinoma and coexisting liver disease. Following occlusion of the right hepatic vein and the right portal pedicle, in situ cold perfusion was initiated using chilled Ringer's lactate infused through a cannula placed in the right main portal vein. The right superior segments were resected in a bloodless field. The liver was cooled to 22-26 degrees C for 40 to 80 minutes with no significant changes in systemic hemodynamics or body temperature. Postoperative liver functions showed no marked derangement; the mean peak GPT was 221 U and the mean peak total bilirubin 2.3 mg d/l. Local cooling minimizes the risk of ischemia/reperfusion injury in this very vulnerable population, yet gives the surgeon adequate time to perform a challenging resection in a bloodless field.