Is massive transfusion of fresh frozen plasma necessary in extensive hepatectomy?

This study was conducted at the Nagoya University Hospital from January 1997 to October 2000 on patients who had undergone extensive hepatectomy for hepatobiliary carcinoma without digestive organ excision such as pancreatico-duodenectomy and gastric resection (operation time: 12.2 ±3.1 hours, the mean amount of blood loss: 1699 ±806 ml). We compared 11 patients (Group A) to whom a large amount of FFP (fresh frozen plasma 14.2 ±7.1 u) was administered during surgery (up until April 1998) and 11 patients (Group B) to whom a small amount of FFP (0.9±2.0u) was administered. Results showed that there were no significant differences in frequency of complications and ambulation time between the two groups. Thus, we concluded that perioperative transfusion of massive amount of FFP is not necessary for the perioperative management of extensive hepatic resection.