Regeneration and Metabolic Changes Following Extensive Liver Resection in Dogs

Abstract

Flatmark, A., Rö, J. S., Jakobsen, A., Jr., Enge, I. & Skrede, S. Regeneration and metabolic changes following extensive liver resection in dogs. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1973, 8, 609-613.

Seventy-six per cent liver resection on an average or sham operation was per-formed in dogs. Weekly blood samples were taken for metabolic studies. The 12 dogs which were killed 2 weeks or more after liver resection had regener-ating livers which exceeded the calculated preoperative weights. Following liver resection, the total protein level in serum had increased even after 1 week, and the highest values were found after 3 weeks (p < 0.01). Albumin concentration was moderately reduced during the first 2 weeks (p < 0.1). Albumin synthesis was therefore not seriously compromised in dogs if three-quarters of the liver were removed. The alkaline phosphatase level rose to high values, while bilirubin alterations were small, probably owing to a clinically unimportant obstruction of small bile ducts. Our technique probably minimizes the leakage of albumin from the liver surface.

Key-words::

• Alkaline phosphatase
• bilirubin
• liver resection
• serum proteins