Phlebotomy to Prevent Blood Loss in Major Hepatic Resections

A central venous catheter will be inserted for every patient to measure central venous pressure, as is the standard of care in elective liver surgery. Strict aseptic technique will be maintained. A total volume of whole blood of 7-10 mL per kg of body weight will be removed, as tolerated. The volume of removed blood will not be replaced by intravenous fluid administration. Collected blood will be transfused back at the end of the liver parenchymal transection, or within 8 hours of collection.

Transfusion Medicine will send the requested number of whole blood collection bags labelled with the patient's name and MRN. These whole blood collection bags are used in standard practice for collection of whole blood.