The Coagulation Defect after Extensive Liver Resection in Man

Abstract

The clotting factors I, V, II, VII, and X activity, platelets and plasminogen were studied in the postoperative period of 4 patients subjected to 40–80 per cent liver resection. A case of major surgery selected from a study of 22 cases in which the same factors were studied is shown for comparison.

The plasminogen concentration in three of the liver resected cases was reduced to approximately the same degree as in the case of gastrectomy. There was a somewhat slower return to the normal concentration level in the liver resected cases.

In the liver resected cases there was a marked decrease in factors I, V and II, VII, and X activity, which is not seen in cases of ordinary major surgery.

Index words:

• Liver
• blood
• blood coagulation disorders
• blood coagulation factors
• blood coagulation tests
• liver regeneration
• metabolism