Key result
Older age (>70 years) was not associated with significantly different preoperative liver function LiMAx values compared to age <60 years (349 vs 340 μg/kg/h, p=0.699).
Why the study?
Does age >70 years compared to <60 years affect preoperative liver function in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy?
Observational (n=59)
Does age >70 years compared to <60 years affect preoperative liver function in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy?
Preoperative liver function, as measured by the LiMAx test, does not appear to be diminished in older patients (>70 years) compared to younger patients (<60 years) undergoing liver resection.
LiMAx values show no age-related decline in hepatectomy candidates; leaves open whether age should influence resection decisions.
BACKGROUND: Postresectional liver failure is the most frequent cause of fatal outcome following liver surgery. Diminished preoperative liver function in the elderly might contribute to this. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate preoperative liver function in patients <60 or >70 years of age scheduled for liver resection. METHODS: All consecutive patients aged <60 or >70 years who are about to undergo elective liver surgery between 2011 and 2013 and underwent the methacetin breath liver function test (LiMAx) preoperatively were included. Histologic assessment of the resected liver gave insight into background liver disease. Correlation between age and liver function was calculated with Pearson's test. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included, 31 were aged <60 and 28 were aged >70 years. General patient characteristics and liver function LiMAx values (340 (137-594) vs. 349 (191-530) μg/kg/h, p = 0.699) were not significantly different between patients aged <60 and >70 years. Moreover, no correlation between age and preoperative liver function LiMAx values was found (R = 0.04, p = 0.810). CONCLUSION: Liver function did not seem to differ between younger and older patients.
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Lodewick et al. (2017) conducted an observational in Patients undergoing elective liver surgery (n=59). Older age (>70 years) vs. Age <60 years was evaluated on Preoperative liver function (LiMAx values in μg/kg/h) (p=0.699). Older age (>70 years) was not associated with significantly different preoperative liver function LiMAx values compared to age <60 years (349 vs 340 μg/kg/h, p=0.699).
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