This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Effects of the intermittent Pringle manoeuvre on hepatic gene expression and ultrastructure in a randomized clinical study. BJS 2003; 90: 183-189.
Published: 28th January 2003
Authors: K. Man, C.‐M. Lo, C.‐L. Liu, Z.‐W. Zhang, T. K.‐W. Lee, I. O.‐L. Ng et al.
Background
The intermittent Pringle manoeuvre during hepatectomy results in a better clinical outcome when the accumulated ischaemia time is less than 120 min. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic gene expression related to microcirculatory modulation and ultrastructural changes in patients having the intermittent Pringle manoeuvre.
Method
Forty patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver tumours were randomly assigned to liver transection with intermittent Pringle manoeuvre (Pringle group, n = 20) or without the manoeuvre (control group, n = 20). The clinical data and hepatic expression of endothelin (ET) 1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) combined with liver ultrastructure were compared.
Results
The Pringle manoeuvre resulted in less blood loss (8·9 versus 12·4 ml/cm2; P = 0·034), a shorter transection time (2·7 versus 4·1 min/cm2; P = 0·015) and a lower serum bilirubin level on postoperative day 2 (26 versus 35 µm/l; P = 0·04). The hepatic messenger RNA content of ET‐1 decreased by 38 per cent of the basal level in the Pringle group, whereas it increased by 28 per cent in the control group (P = 0·026). More patients in the control group showed swelling of mitochondria in hepatocytes and disruption of sinusoidal lining cells (12 of 20 patients versus three of 20 in the Pringle group; P = 0·008).
Conclusion
The intermittent Pringle manoeuvre results in less disturbance of the hepatic microcirculation and better preservation of liver sinusoids after hepatectomy. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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