OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of ischemic preconditioning in clinical hepatectomy.

METHODSA total of 48 unselected patients undergoing liver resection were analyzed by randomized controlled trial from December 2004 to June 2006. Forty-eight unselected patients were randomized into two groups: IP group (5 minutes of ischemia followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion) and control group (received Pringle's maneuver no and no IP was given). Postoperative days 1, 3 and 7, the liver function were checked. Perioperative mortality, morbidity and hospitalized days were compared.

RESULTSIn IP group, ischemic times were 5 - 80 min, mean 31 min, hospitalized days were 13 - 50 days, mean 20 days. In control group, ischemic times were 10 - 60 min, mean 27 min, hospitalized days were 10 - 33 days, mean 17 days. Forty-seven patients were satisfactory with postoperative recovery, except one patient died of chronic liver dysfunction after 3 months postoperatively. Postoperative days 1, 3 and 7, the ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB levels in two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical use of IP through 5 minutes of warm ischemia in this technique of hepatectomy does not protect the liver from hepatic injury induced by the IRI.