INTRODUCTION: Some groups have reported early extubation post–liver transplantation in
patients with previously defined criteria, in an attempt to shorten the ICU stay and decrease
costs. We review our experience with trends in mechanical ventilation and resource
utilization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the length of mechanical ventilation, ICU
stay, hospital stay, transfusions, and costs of liver transplants performed since the program's
inception in 1993 and 2002 including 82 OLT in 71 patients. We also report our experience …