Case report: pediatric liver retransplantation on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-dependent child.

Abstract

We describe the perioperative management of a venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenator-dependent child requiring liver retransplantation after emergent hepatectomy because of an ischemic liver graft. This child required renal replacement and inotropic support as well as treatment for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We describe each step in this child's perioperative management leading to the successful liver retransplantation. This is the first description, to our knowledge, of a pediatric patient undergoing liver transplantation while supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).