Terlipressin infusion during liver resection reduces bleeding

Terlipressin infusion during major liver resection was associated with less bleeding compared to placebo, according to a study published in the journal Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica.

Blood loss and perioperative blood transfusion requirements affect the long‐term survival after liver resection for malignant tumors. Terlipressin is a synthetic vasopressin analog with relative specificity for the splanchnic circulation where it causes vasoconstriction with subsequent reduction of blood loss during abdominal surgeries.

Mostafa S. Abbas and his associated conducted a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial to examine the impact of terlipressin on blood loss and blood transfusion needs during liver resection.

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The trial included 84 patients scheduled for major liver resections who were randomly assigned to receive either terlipressin at the onset of surgery as an initial bolus dose of (1 mg over 30 minutes) followed by a continuous infusion of 2 μg/kg/h throughout the procedure (Terlipressin group) or the same volume and rate of 0.9% saline (Placebo group). The primary outcome was the amount of intra‐operative blood loss.

Key study findings:

• The mean (SD) of the amount of intra‐operative blood loss was 1351 (887) in the terlipressin group versus 1892 (889) mL in the placebo group.


• Thirteen (30%) patients received a blood transfusion in the terlipressin group compared with t27 (64.2%) in the placebo group.

A liver resection is the surgical removal of all or a portion of the liver. It is also referred to as a hepatectomy, full or partial.

For reference log on to https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.13226