Is the Pringle manoeuvre becoming a lost art? Contemporary use for both severe liver trauma with ongoing hemorrhage and elective partial hepatectomy

Can J Surg. 2022 Apr 8;65(2):E266-E268. doi: 10.1503/cjs.023220. Print 2022 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

The Pringle manoeuvre (vascular inflow occlusion) has been a mainstay technique in trauma surgery and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery since it was first described in the early 1900s. We sought to determine how frequently the manoeuvre is used today for both elective and emergent cases in these disciplines. To reflect on its evolution, we evaluated the Pringle manoeuvre over a recent 10-year period (2010-2020). We found it is used less frequently owing to more frequent nonoperative management and more advanced elective hepatic resection techniques. Continuing educational collaboration is critical to ensure continued insight into the impact of hepatic vascular inflow occlusion among trainees who observe this procedure less frequently.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Elective Surgical Procedures
  • Hepatectomy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver / surgery
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery