Using monofactorial and multivariate logistic regression analyses, the correlation of perioperative risk factors with postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) within 1 month after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was investigated. Data on 107 patients (median age 46.8 years, 72% male) with end-stage liver disease who received OLT were retrospectively analysed. The incidence of PPCs was 60.7%. Overall mortality was 13.1% and pulmonary causes accounted for 85.7% of deaths. Mortality was 18.5% and 4.8% for patients with and without pulmonary complications, respectively. Independent risk factors for PPCs were a preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥ 25, intraoperative fluid transfusion volume > 10 l and intraoperative blood transfusion volume > 4 l. A fluid balance of ≤ ?300 ml for ≥ 2 days of the first 3 days after surgery was protective. Other variables studied did not predict PPCs. It was concluded that improving the patient's preoperative medical condition, restricting intraoperative transfusion volumes and maintaining a negative fluid balance in the first 3 days after operation may decrease PPCs.
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