Elevation of liver function tests after laparoscopic gastrectomy using a Nathanson liver retractor

Although pneumoperitoneum has been suspected as a possible cause of transient elevation of liver function tests (LFTs) after laparoscopic surgery, liver damage by direct retraction could also influence postoperative LFTs. The aim of this study was to clarify whether laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) using a Nathanson retractor was associated with the postoperative elevation of LFTs compared with open gastrectomy (OG).

A retrospective cohort study of 199 LG and 120 OG patients was conducted. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin were measured before operation and at postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Abnormal elevation of LFTs was defined as a grade 2 or greater elevation in any parameter. To assess the possible effect of pneumoperitoneum, patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 324) and open (n = 56) colectomy for colorectal cancer were also compared.

In both LG and OG groups, LFTs were significantly elevated postoperatively compared with baseline values. Mean ALT and total bilirubin levels on days 1, 3, and 7 were significantly higher in the LG than OG group. Abnormal elevation of LFTs was more frequent in the LG than OG group (50 vs. 12%). In multivariate analysis, LG was significantly associated with postoperative liver dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] = 7.99; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.69-18.85). No significant difference in the elevation of the LFTs was observed between laparoscopic and open colectomy (6% and 9%, respectively).

LG resulted in frequent elevation of LFTs. Care should be taken to minimize intraoperative liver damage when performing LG using a Nathanson retractor.