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Journal of Current Surgery

Original Article

Volume 7, Number 4, December 2017, pages 53-57

Effect of Duration of Surgery on Liver Enzymes After Cholecystectomy: Safety or Duration

The introduction of minimal access surgery for gallbladder surgery has revolutionized the treatment of gallstones [1]. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the gold standard treatment for symptomatic uncomplicated cholelithiasis and replaced the open cholecystectomy (OC). Because of less postoperative pain, bleeding, shorter hospital stay and better cosmesis, minimal invasive surgery has become the method of choice for the uncomplicated gall bladder stones, hernia repair and appendectomies [2]. To carry out the procedure, various sizes and numbers of ports are used and with time, the number of ports has decreased from four to even single. Two ports can be used as an alternative to the three-port or four-port laparoscopic procedure in case of acute appendicitis with favorable outcomes [3]. Creation of pneumoperitoneum by insufflation with carbon dioxide increases minute ventilation by as much as 60% and activates the sympathetic nervous system leading to an increase in BP, heart rate, myocardial contractility and arrythmias apart from changes in splanchnic blood flow [4]. A study found that splanchnic ischemia occurs by creation of the pneumoperitoneum of 12 mm Hg with significantly decreased hepatic and gastric microcirculation during LC [5].

It is evident that changes in liver function test (LFT) after LC occur due to gas present in abdominal cavity, while no change has been demonstrated in OC as seen in our present study. While changes due to prolonged pneumoperitoneum have not been studied, neither much literature is present worldwide. A study in 2011 compared the laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and open gastrectomy (OG), and found that mean AST levels on postoperative days 1 and 3, and mean ALT and total bilirubin levels on days 1, 3, and 7, were significantly raised in the LG group (P < 0.001) [6]. One of the important hemodynamic changes is the transient reduction in hepatic blood flow caused by a pneumoperitoneum. The pressure of a created pneumoperitoneum and its duration were shown to influence the degree of hepatic ischemia by causing elevations in liver enzymes [7]. In the present study, patients undergone LC or OC and we observed the changes in liver enzymes in relation to timing of surgery along with intraperitoneal pressure kept for surgery (10 or 14 mm Hg). Changes due to prolonged pneumoperitoneum are a well known factor but in relation to duration of surgery have not been studied and neither much literature is present worldwide.

The prospective study was done in the Department of Surgery since January 2014 for a period of 2 years at M. M. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Haryana, India. The protocol for the research project has been approved by a suitably body constituted Ethics Committee of the institution within which the work was undertaken. A total number of 300 patients were included in the study. It included both genders with acute or chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis admitted for laparoscopic or open surgery. Patients with acute cholecystitis presented within 48 h of symptoms without any co-morbidity. The patients were willing to be part of the study group. The patients with pre-operative deranged liver enzymes, contraindication to laparoscopic surgery, chronic liver diseases, common bile duct (CBD) pathology or injury, pregnancy or any abnormality in coagulation profile were excluded from the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: in groups A and B, LC was performed and in group C, OC was performed. In group A, the abdominal CO ₂ pressure was maintained as 10 mm Hg, in group B, pressure kept 14 mm Hg and group C was without pressure as it was OC.

A written informed consent was taken pre-operatively for all the groups. All patients underwent a standard clinical and laboratory evaluation that included briefly information, and ultrasound of the abdomen. Pre-operative investigations included renal functions and LFTs (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase, bilirubin direct and total). The LFTs were further done 24 - 48 h later and in some patients LFT was repeated to monitor liver function. Any adverse events were noted in all the patients. Finally the duration of hospital stay was noted.

In group A, pneumoperitoneum was created and maintained by intraperitoneal CO₂ insufflation up to 10 mm Hg. In group B, pneumoperitoneum was maintained up to 14 mm Hg. In both the groups, patient’s head was elevated and right-sided tilted upwards towards the left side. Four ports were made: 10 mm port infraumblical site, epigastrium region and two 5 mm ports; right lateral and in subcostal region two fingers below midlaviculer area. Structures are identified in Calot’s triangle and clip was applied to the cystic duct and cystic artery after proper dissection of callots triangle and identification of structures to avoid injury to CBD. Gallbladder was removed from the liver bed with the help of diathermy.

Drain was kept in all the cases and removed generally on second postoperative day when amount was less than 20 mL. If bile leakage was present, then antibiotics were used for 5 days. In group C, OC was done under general anesthesia. Kochers right subcostal incision was made and abdomen was opened in layers and findings were confirmed. In most of the patients, cholecystectomy was done using duct first method. Hemostasis was achieved and a tube drain was kept in subhepatic space. In all the groups, analgesics were given in the form of injection voveran (diclofenac) and if required tramadol was also given to all the patients for 2 days and then patients were put on oral analgesic drugs for 10 days. Sutures were removed from 8 to 10 days.

Patients were divided into three groups: A, B and C. Groups A and B underwent LC with intraabdominal pressure of 10 and 14 mm Hg, respectively, while group C patients underwent OC. All the cases were done under general anesthesia. Most of the patients were females in all the groups. In group A, there were 15 males and 75 females, in group B, there were 22 males and 78 females and in group C, there were 20 males and 80 females (Table 1). In OC, the time taken to complete the procedure was 41 - 70 min except for few patients of acute cholecystitis and one patient of gallbladder empyema who took more than 1 h to complete the surgery. In LC, maximum time was about 20 - 50 min, and few patients took 90 min also (Table 2).

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Table 1. Gender Distribution of Patients

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Table 2. Duration of Surgery in Three Groups Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Done in a Single Unit

The results were obtained after applying proper statistical methods and tests to the values obtained in the study. Changes in LFTs were noted in all the three groups in relation to pressure and duration of surgery. It was found that with duration of surgery less than 1 h in 10 and 14 mm Hg pressured, less alterations were observed in LFTs (P > 0.05). There was a change in LFT but was very minimal as the duration of procedure was less than 1 h (Table 3). In group A, pre-operatively the mean bilirubin was 0.6162 ± 0.20 while postoperative level was 0.60 ± 0.22, pre-operative mean of AST was 68.15 ± 10.50 while postoperatively it was 61.58 ± 11.20, pre-operative ALT was 98.50 ± 13.78 while postoperative value was 99.65 ± 15.79 and pre-operative ALP value was 128.79 ± 34.66 and postoperative was 132 ± 29.30. The P value was more than 0.05, so the results were non-significant. In group B, pre-operative serum bilirubin was 1.8 ± 0.22 while postoperatively it was 1.9 ± 0.01, pre-operative level of AST was 66.40 ± 11.30 while postoperative was 69 ± 0.35, pre-operative value of ALT was 60.80 ± 10.54 while postoperative was 72.0 ± 0.57, pre-operative value of ALP was 98.40 ± 36.22 while postoperative value was 88.39 ± 33.35; the P value was non-significant as obtained from the results (Table 3).

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Table 3. Effects on LFT in Low and High Pressure Group With Duration Less Than One Hour

In patients, where surgery took more than 1 h in group A, the pre-operative level of bilirubin was 0.57 ± 0.35 while postoperatively it was 0.99 ± 1.46, pre-operative value of AST was 68.15 ± 24 while postoperative value was 78.45 ± 27, pre-operative value of ALT was 98.50 ± 24.57 while postoperative was 124 ± 0.57, pre-operative value of ALP was 110.68 ± 18.89 while postoperative was 128.79 ± 24.70. In group B, with longer duration of surgery, the pre-operative level of bilirubin was 0.383 ± 0.34, postoperative was 0.623 ± 0.26, pre-operative level of AST was 38.51 ± 16.23 and postoperative value was 48.13 ± 0.56, pre-operative value of ALT was 98.50 ± 24.57, pre-operative value of ALP was 98.40 ± 15 and postoperative level was 110 ± 2.8. The P value obtained from these observations was less than 0.05, hence significant (Table 4). So in case of patients who took more than 1 h for the procedure in low pressure and more in high pressure group also, more changes in LFTs were observed postoperatively (P < 0.05).

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Table 4. Effects on LFTS in Low and High Pressure Group With Duration More Than One Hour

In group C, there were no significant changes seen in LFTs after surgery (Table 5). The P value obtained was more than 0.05 (non-significant), hence the differences in LFTs are less. So from the above observations, we concluded that it is the duration during which CO₂ is retained inside the abdominal cavity that affects LFTs along with high abdominal pressures kept for LC.

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Table 5. Changes in LFT in Patients Who Underwent Open Cholecystectomy After 48 h of Procedure

Minimal access surgery is widely practiced and offers several benefits over open classical surgery. However, there are various contraindications to the procedure also especially compromised liver functions preoperatively. Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are at risk for two reasons: low peripheral resistance and the risk of bleeding that is difficult to control during the procedure so in these patients LC should not be attempted. The adverse physical effects of intraabdominal hypertension were reviewed in detail recently [8]. Key hole surgery has become the method of preference for surgeons as well as patients for the treatment of uncomplicated gallbladder stones, hernia repair and appendectomies. Pneumoperitoneum has gotten various effects on human physiology including some alterations in liver enzymes as evidenced in literature worldwide [9]. Another study found statistically significant increased levels of hepatic transaminases during the first 48 h of surgery LC which was also seen in our study [10].

With the intraabdominal pressure of 12 mm Hg, the changes in LFTs were observed during LC by Neri et al [11]. The levels of AST and ALT increased significantly during 24 - 48 h after LC (P < 0.0001) which was also observed in our study (P < 0.05). A study done on LC showed no significant difference in serum bilirubin, AST, ALT and ALP after 24 and 72 h of surgery [12]. In the present study, significant difference in LFT was noted where time required for surgery was more than 1 h in LC. Patient factors like BMI, male gender, higher ASA, and abnormal pre-operative LFT are the main factors that determine the difficulty levels in lap chole and can cause prolonged duration of surgery as studied by Lowndes et al [13]. A prerequisite for successful results of cholecystectomy is the pre-operative exclusion of associated silent choledocholithiasis because persistence of CBD calculi, negative CBD exploration or any other procedure like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreography (ERCP), is related to an increase in morbidity and expenses [14, 15]. We observed that duration of surgery along with high pressure abdominal insuffulation gas may affect on liver enzymes in LC but no effect was seen in OC. It is also evidenced in literature that no changes are seen in LFTs after OC. With increase in abdominal pressure along with more duration of surgery, the changes in LFTs are more as compared to less duration of surgery under low or high pressure pneumoperitoneum. In present study, we observed if duration of surgery is less in 14 or 10 mm Hg, then liver enzymes changes were seen but less significant. We observed that surgeons should not be biased by duration or changes seen in liver enzyme as patient safety is necessary because enzyme changes are transitory and by time it comes to normal.

Prolonged duration of surgery and high intraabdominal pressure in laparoscopy change the liver enzymes postoperatively but it is transitory. The changes in liver enzyme were less, if duration of surgery is less up to 30 - 60 min, even in high pressures. No changes were encountered in OC in spite of long duration of surgery. Duration of surgery and intraabdominal pressure are not the matter but it is the safety of the patient which is of prime importance.

Magnitude of pressure of pneumoperitoneum in case of LC or OC has not gotten any adverse effects on LFTs postoperatively. It is the time up to which CO₂ is retained inside the abdominal cavity that has gotten adverse effects on liver function enzymes which is transient.

Conflict of Interest

None.

Funding

None.

Abbreviations

CBD: common bile duct; ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography; EUS: endoscopic ultrasonography; USG: ultrasonography; LFT: liver function test; ALT: alanine transaminase; AST: aspartate transaminase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; LC: laparoscopic cholecystectomy; OC: open cholecystectomy; NS: non-significant

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Journal of Current Surgery is published by Elmer Press Inc.