Amylase Isoenzymes in Serum After Maxillo-Facial Surgery

Abstract

An electrophoresis technique for determination of amylase isoenzymes in serum is described. In selected cases the technique might be useful for distinguishing between an elevated serum amylase activity due to increased secretion of the salivary glands and that due to acute pancreatitis. The serum amylase activity and isoenzyme pattern of serum amylase were investigated in 35 patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. Amylase was determined with a coloured insoluble dye-starch polymer (Phadebas® Amylase Test); the same substrate was used for detecting isoenzyme distribution after agarose gel electrophoresis. Minor surgery was not followed by elevation of serum amylase activity or any change in the normal isoenzyme distribution. Major surgery was followed by elevation of the serum amylase activity in about 50% of the patients. Electrophoresis showed that the rise was due to an increase on the salivary components of serum amylase as a result of the trauma in the region of the salivary glands.