INTRODUCTION: The use of a venovenous bypass in liver transplantation is a controversy source and discussion among anesthetists and transplant surgeons. Although it provides a stable hemodynamic state and metabolism during the anhepatic stage, venovenous bypass may lead to a number of complications, some of them with death. AIM: To review the current practice of using clinic venovenous bypass in liver transplantation, with its advantages and disadvantages. METHOD: A broad review of the literature was carried out, paying especial attention to articles published in the past ten years and indexed in PubMed and Medline. The following cross-referenced headings were used: liver transplantation, venovenous bypass, conventional technique, classic technique. The articles chosen for analysis were those of the greatest relevance and those considered "classics" in the subject. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation without venovenous bypass is a safe and rapid technique. In most cases it can be used without giving rise to serious complications in patients with liver disease.
Liver transplantation; Venovenous bypass; Complications; Technique
