More than 1000 elective (planned operation) liver resections are performed annually in the United Kingdom alone. When liver resection is performed, the inflow of blood to the liver can be blocked (vascular occlusion), thereby reducing the blood loss. It is a controversial issue whether this causes more problems than solutions. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of vascular occlusion compared to no vascular occlusion in liver resection. We included five randomised clinical trials in this review. All trials had high risk of bias ('systematic error'). A total of 331 patients were randomised to vascular occlusion (n = 166) versus to no vascular occlusion (n = 165) in the five trials. The statistical analysis of the data demonstrates that intermittent vascular occlusion is a safe procedure, and that it reduces blood loss during operation. The trials did not demonstrate significant difference regarding mortality and liver failure, but data were sparse and more randomised trials seem to be needed.
Lire le résumé complet
Vascular occlusion is used to reduce blood loss during liver resection. There is considerable controversy regarding whether vascular occlusion should be used or not during elective liver resections.
Objectifs
To assess the advantages (decreased blood loss and peri-operative morbidity) and disadvantages (ischaemia-reperfusion injury related complications like liver dysfunction) of vascular occlusion during elective liver resections.
Stratégie de recherche documentaire
We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded until August 2008.
Critères de sélection
We included randomised clinical trials comparing vascular occlusion versus no vascular occlusion during elective liver resections (irrespective of language or publication status).
Recueil et analyse des données
Two authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and independently extracted the data. We analysed the data with both the fixed-effect and the random-effects models using RevMan Analysis. We calculated the risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), or standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on intention-to-treat or available case analysis.
Résultats principaux
We identified a total of five trials (of high bias-risk) which compared vascular occlusion (n = 166) versus no vascular occlusion (n = 165). Three of the five trials comparing vascular occlusion and no vascular occlusion used intermittent vascular occlusion. There was no difference in mortality, liver failure, or other morbidities. The blood loss was significantly lower in vascular occlusion compared with no vascular occlusion. The liver enzymes were significantly elevated in the vascular occlusion group compared with no vascular occlusion.
Conclusions des auteurs
Intermittent vascular occlusion seems safe in liver resection. However, it does not seem to decrease morbidity. More randomised trials seem to be needed.
