Anaesthetic management of liver haemorrhage during laparotomy in a premature infant with necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

The case of a 680 g premature baby who developed massive spontaneous liver haemorrhage during laparotomy for necrotizing enterocolitis is reported. The infant survived due to rapid and massive fluid administration, including transfusion of large volumes of blood and blood products, in combination with high dose inotropic support and the surgical use of packing with thrombostatic sponges. Good venous access, including two central venous lines, turned out to be very useful.