Abstract
We analyzed postoperative usage of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in hepatobiliary resections for hilar bile duct carcinomas and evaluated the feasibility of the guideline for the use of FFP of Japan. Subjects were 120 cases treated in our institute from April 1989 to December 2007. Patients with high levels of postoperative total bilirubin, intraoperative blood transfusion, and the absence of autologous blood transfusion used significantly larger amount of postoperative FFP. Dividing these into three groups chronologically (1989-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2007), postoperative FFP requirement was reduced, which correlated with postoperative hospital stay. In patients with mild coagulation abnormality, there were no difference in frequency of postoperative complication, length of postoperative hospital stay, and mortality rate, regardless of FFP use. This suggested the feasibility of the guideline for the use of FFP. Compliance with the guideline and the improvement of postoperative management will make it possible to reduce postoperative FFP use.
