During a pediatric liver transplant, monitoring blood flow is essential. Too much or too little flow can jeopardize a new organ and cause complications. Hepatic artery patency and flow are particularly important because survival of the graft depends on them.

Low hepatic artery flow, for example, can lead to thrombosis which may result in graft failure; on the other hand, excessive portal venous flow is also not ideal. That’s why leading transplant surgeons use real-time flow measurement tools from Transonic to help guide their intraoperative decisions.

Real-time flow measurement provides immediate, quantitative data that allows surgeons to:

• Identify impaired blood flow before closure
• Quantitatively assess hepatic arterial and portal venous flow
• Document restored flow for post-op reference

Visual cues alone don’t always tell the full story. A transplanted liver may look healthy (pink in color, well-perfused, showing a strong arterial pulse) yet still have low hepatic arterial flow. 

Real-time volumetric flow measurements help transplant teams uncover these hidden issues. It can either reassure the team that flow is adequate or highlight a critical problem that needs to be corrected while there’s still time to act.

Tools Surgeons Trust: AureFlo, Optima Flow-QC and Confidence Flowprobes

AureFlo

AureFlo is a visual flow monitoring system that displays live flow waveforms on a touchscreen. Surgeons and staff can instantly see if flow is within target ranges and identify any concerning patterns. This adds another layer of confidence and clarity to intraoperative decision-making.

AureFlo also allows the surgical team to save flow data for documentation and post-op analysis, so the team can refine protocols and track outcomes over time.

Optima Flow-QC Meters

The Optima Flow-QC meter is versatile and compatible with the AureFlo system that connects to all Transonic clinical flowprobes and sensors. It delivers quantitative flow measurements in mL/min, giving surgeons the exact numbers they need to verify adequate blood flow and make adjustments if necessary.

Its compact design integrates easily into the OR and its intuitive interface provides clear, actionable data within seconds. 

Flowprobes

Confidence Flowprobes and Vascular Flowprobes are designed specifically for tight, delicate spaces like those in pediatric procedures. With a non-constrictive fit and a range of sizes (down to 0.7 mm, the smallest clinical flowprobes on the market), the flowprobes can be placed around small vessels without compromising their integrity.

Transonic Technology in the OR: Supporting Surgical Precision

When combined, these tools provide a comprehensive picture of flow in real-time. Here’s how the surgeon and transplant team use them in the OR:

1. Place the Transonic flowprobe around the hepatic artery or portal vein
2. Use the Optima Flow-QC to get an exact flow reading in mL/min
3. View and record live waveforms via AureFlo
4. Make adjustments if readings are outside desired thresholds
5. Re-measure to confirm success before closure

In pediatric liver transplants, there’s no room for guesswork. Surgeons need tools that provide clarity, precision and confidence – and that’s exactly what Transonic delivers. 

Learn more about how flow measurement supports pediatric liver transplants.