Pringle Maneuver

The Pringle Maneuver is performed by retracting the mesoduodenum ventrally and to the left, allowing visualization of the caudal vena cava, portal vein, and hepatic artery. Using the left hand, the index finger can be passed caudal-to-cranial along the ventral surface of the caudal vena cava. If the thumb of the same finger is then used to compress the tissue between the finger and thumb, this should compress the portal vein and the hepatic artery, which is total inflow occlusion to the liver. In dogs, this may be performed for up to 20 minutes before significant risk of hepatic necrosis. 1