[Ketone bodies in patients after partially liver resection]

This study explores the relationship between Arterial Ketone Body Ratio (AKBR = acetoacetate/3-hydroxybutyrate) and the patients state after partially liver resections. Enzymatic methods of Mellanby and Williamson for the determination of ketone bodies (acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate) were used. Twelve surgical patients (8 women and 4 men) were examined. The control group consisted of 5 persons. Ketone bodies were measured in samples of arterial blood taken before operation and in the postoperative period. Then AKBR values were calculated. Patients were classified into three groups. Group A patients (8 subjects) had AKBR value higher than 0.7, group B patients had AKBR between 0.4 and 0.7 (2 cases), and group C patients had AKBR below 0.4 (2 cases). We observed that incidence of postoperative complications increased with the decrease of AKBR value. No postoperative complications and good general conditions of patients were observed in group A only. Group B patients had postoperative complications, whereas group C patients decreased in the postoperative period. These results indicate that Arterial Ketone Body Ratio is a good indicator for prognosis of postoperative survival of patients after partially liver resections.