Hemodynamic parameters following pelvic exenteration

Hemodynamic parameters were prospectively studied in 31 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration. With the use of a thermistor-tipped pulmonary artery catheter, hemodynamic parameters were calculated during the intraoperative and acute (<48 hours) postoperative interval. The mean operative time was 5.5 ± 0.8 hours, and volume replacement (mean, 21.6 ml/kg/hr) consisted of crystalloid, colloid, and blood. Postoperative urine production (mean, 1.9 ml/kg/hr) was maintained with crystalloid (mean, 2.5 ml/kg/hr), colloid (0.2 ml/kg/hr), and blood (0.4 ml/kg/hr). Despite individual variations, the important parameters of cardiovascular function were maintained in the physiologic range. No patient developed cardiovascular or respiratory failure. We believe that the lack of perioperative morbidity and mortality was related, in substantial part, to this type of cardiovascular monitoring, which allows for the prompt diagnosis of potential problems and enables the physician to make appropriate interventions to correct these problems.