Changes of lipid profiles after radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer

We investigated the changes of lipid profiles after radical gastrectomy.

We analyzed the lipid-profile changes after radical gastrectomy in 144 patients with gastric cancer. Their lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL), were evaluated preoperatively as well as 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We compared the changes of lipid profile according to the reconstruction type and resection extent.

The TC level had decreased 6 months after surgery, and remained unchanged thereafter. The LDL level also had decreased 6 months after surgery, but had increased again after 12 months after surgery. The HDL level had increased 12 months after surgery, whereas the TG level was unchanged. In a comparison of the lipid levels according to the reconstruction type or resection extent, the HDL level significantly differed by reconstruction type 12 months after surgery: it was markedly higher in the total gastrectomy than in the subtotal gastrectomy group both 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Both the male gender and total gastrectomy were associated with probability of normalization of LDL after surgery.

The lipid profiles including the TC, LDL and HDL levels were changed after radical gastrectomy; therefore, after this procedure, the lipid profiles of patients with hyperlipidemia should be evaluated.