Two cases of massive pleural effusion noted only after induction of anesthesia in living donor liver transplantation

Sin Ei Juang, Chao Long Chen, Wen Tzu Liao, Chih Hsien Wang, Kwok Wai Cheng, Chia Jung Huang, Chih Chi Wang, Allan M. Concejero, Shao Chun Wu, Bruno Jawan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation with acute accumulation of right-side pleural effusion are reported. The chest X-ray of patient 1 showed no specific finding 3 days before the operation, and patient 2 was known to have pleural effusion and underwent pigtail drainage before transplant. After anesthesia induction and insertion of central venous catheters, a portable chest radiograph was taken to confirm the positions of the central venous catheters and endotracheal tube. A massive right-side pleural effusion was noted unexpectedly in both patients. Approximately 2,000 ml transudative fluid was surgically drained through the right diaphragm in patient 1 upon opening of the abdominal cavity. The acute accumulation of massive pleural fluid in patient 2 was caused by clamping of the pigtail drainage tube during patient transfer to the operating room; upon unclamping of the tube, 2,000 ml fluid was drained. The intraoperative and postoperative transplant courses of both patients were uneventful. Both were discharged from the hospital in stable condition. Our cases suggest that chest X-ray after induction of the anesthesia and before liver transplantation surgery is recommended. In addition to documenting the positions of the central venous catheters and endotracheal tube, a potential life-threatening pleural effusion requiring appropriate management may be detected.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)418-421
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Anesthesia
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 06 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anesthesia
  • Chest X-ray
  • End stage liver disease
  • General
  • Liver transplant
  • Monitoring
  • Organ
  • Surgery

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