Impact of prolonged liver ischemia during intermittent Pringle maneuver on postoperative outcomes following liver resection

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes following liver resection between patients with prolonged cumulative ischemia time (CIT) which exceeded 60 min and patients with CIT less than 60 min. Methods: Between March 2020 and October 2022, 164 consecutive patients underwent liver resection at the Unit for hepato-bilio-pancreatic surgery, University Clinic for Digestive Surgery in Belgrade, Serbia. Intermittent Pringle maneuver was routinely applied. Depending on CIT during transection, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (CIT <60 min) included 101 patients, and group 2 (CIT ≥60 min) included 63 patients. Results: Median operative time (210 vs. 400 min) and CIT (30 vs. 76 min) were longer in the Group 2 (p < 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was higher in the Group 2 (150 vs 500 ml), p < 0.001. The perioperative transfusion rate was similar between the groups (p = 0.107). There was no difference in postoperative overall morbidity (50.5% vs. 58.7%, p = 0.337) and major morbidity (18.8 vs. 19%, p = 0.401). In-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality were similar between the groups (p = 0.408; p = 0.408; p = 0.252, respectively). Non-anatomical liver resection was the only predictive factor of 90-day mortality identified by multivariate analysis (p = 0.047; Relative Risk = 0.179; 95% Confidence Interval 0.033–0.981). Conclusion: Intermittent Pringle maneuver with CIT exceeding 60 min is a safe method for bleeding control during liver resection with no impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality. Keywords: intermittent Pringle maneuver, liver ischemia, liver resection.