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Review
. 2020 Oct 22;50(6):1491-1503.
doi: 10.3906/sag-2006-31.

Posthepatectomy liver failure

Affiliations
Review

Posthepatectomy liver failure

İlhan Ocak et al. Turk J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Liver surgery is one of the most complex surgical interventions with high risk and potential for complications. Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication of liver surgery that occurs in about 10% of patients undergoing major liver surgery. It is the main source of morbidity and mortality. Appropriate surgical techniques and intensive care management are important in preventing PHLF. Early start of the liver support systems is very important for the PHLF patient to recover, survive, or be ready for a liver transplant. Nonbiological and biological liver support systems should be used in PHLF to prepare for treatment or organ transplantation. The definition of the state, underlying pathophysiology and treatment strategies will be reviewed here.

Keywords: Liver surgery; Posthepatectomy Liver Failure; Prevention; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This review was prepared without any support from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or nonprofit sectors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Continuous types of renal replacement therapy and basic working mechanisms. V: vein; D: dialysate; R: replacement solution; UF: ultrafiltrate; UFc: ultrafiltrate control pump.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Working mechanisms of plasmapheresis and plasma exchange treatments. V: vein; PR: plasma replacement; C: centrifuge.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow diagram of nonbiological liver support systems in cases of liver failure. MOF: multiorgan failure; PT: prothrombin time; INR: international normalized ratio; PP: plasmapheresis; PE: plasmaexchange; CRRT; continuous renal replacement therapy; Albumin dialysis; MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) and PROMETHEUS (fractionated plasma separation, adsorption, and dialysis).

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