[Which factors affect the liver function most after gastrectomy in the gastric cancer patients?]

We examined the factors which influence the postoperative liver function in the gastric cancer patients who received gastrectomy by a particular surgeon. One hundred and five patients had no history of liver diseases, no blood transfusions, and no infection after the operation. They also had normal liver function preoperatively. They were anesthetized with halothane-nitrous oxide oxygen or enflurane-nitrous oxide oxygen with epidural anesthesia by the same group of anesthesiologists. GOT was followed for one month after the operation to evaluate the liver function. In 44 patients, GOT went up to above 50 IU.l-1. The maximal GOT correlated with low hemoglobin level on the 1st postoperative day, the duration of hypotension below 80 mmHg of the systolic blood pressure, and duration of the operation. These results suggest that special attention should be paid to correct hemoglobin level and to avoid hypotension during anesthesia.