Abdominal sepsis following liver resection in the rat

A standardized 2/3 liver resection was performed in the rat. One and seven days following liver resection, gram-negative sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mortality significantly increased following CLP one day after hepatectomy, but no difference was to be seen after seven days as compared with sham operated animals. Clearance of radiolabeled heat-killed 125I E. coli injected intravenously was significantly decreased one day following liver resection, but not after seven days. The capability of bacterial clearance and survival correlated well with the increase in weight of the liver remnant following liver resection, as did organ uptake of radiolabeled bacteria within the liver, spleen and lungs, as a measure of reticuloendothelial system function. Splenic and pulmonary uptake initially increased following liver resection, but normalized within seven days. In conclusion, the present study shows that the liver is responsible for most of the reticuloendothelial system function and that a major liver resection increases the risk of fatal outcome before regeneration of the liver remnant has occurred, despite normal function of the residual liver tissue.