Postoperative changes in prothrombin time following hepatic resection: implications for perioperative analgesia

Disorders of coagulation may occur after uncomplicated hepatic resection in patients who have normal preoperative coagulation profiles and liver function tests. We present a retrospective study performed in a tertiary care university teaching hospital examining changes in liver function tests and coagulation profiles in patients undergoing hepatic resection. Data were obtained for 124 patients. When compared to the preoperative values, prothrombin times were significantly increased throughout the postoperative period. Prolongation of the prothrombin time was related to both duration of surgery and hepatic resection weight. There was no relationship between prothrombin time and patient age. Disorders of coagulation occur after hepatic resection even in patients who have normal preoperative coagulation and liver function tests. This has implications for anaesthetic practice, particularly when considering the use of an indwelling epidural catheter in patients undergoing hepatic resection.