Efficacy and safety of infrahepatic inferior vena cava clamping under controlled central venous pressure for reducing blood loss during hepatectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of inferior vena cava (IVC) clamping for reducing blood loss during hepatectomy. Methods In total, 120 elective hepatectomy patients who underwent surgery from May 2016 to October 2017 were enrolled and randomized into the IVC clamping group or nonclamping group. Both groups were managed by anesthesiological techniques for CVP reduction. Blood loss and clinical parameters were analyzed for 30 days after surgery. Results Fifty-nine patients were assigned to the IVC clamping group and 61 to the non-IVC clamping group. There was a significant difference in the total blood loss between both groups, with less blood loss observed in the IVC clamping group [500 vs 600 mL, P = .006]. The transection blood loss in the IVC clamping group was also significantly lower than that in the non-IVC clamping group [300 vs 500 mL, P < .001]. However, CVP was not associated with blood loss volume. Postoperative outcomes were not significant in either group. Conclusions IVC clamping is beneficial for reducing blood loss during hepatectomy and is safe when combined with anesthesiological techniques. If feasible, this technique should be used regardless of the CVP value.