To compare the pulmonary complications between the standard classic liver transplantation and classic liver transplantation with retrograde reperfusion via vena cana.

One hundred and sixty-nine patients with end-stage liver disease underwent liver transplantation from January 2003 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital. The patients were divided into standard classic liver transplantation group of 46 cases (group A) and retrograde reperfusion liver transplantation group of 123 cases (group B), according to the operation way of liver transplantation. The rate of the pulmonary complication was observed in the two groups in different Meld scores. The perioperative factors of pulmonary complication were investigated.

There were significant differences in pulmonary complication rate between the two groups in the situation of Meld score ≤15 points and 15-25 points. Compared with group A, patients with total intraoperative infusion>10 L and the total blood products >4 L in group B obviously reduced(P = 0.023 and P = 0.040). However, the patients whose negative fluid balance >300 ml in 2 days of the first 3 days after operation in group B obviously increased (P = 0.048).

Compared with the standard classic liver transplantation, the classic liver transplantation with retrograde reperfusion via vena cana may significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative pulumonary complications.