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Bilirubin level fluctuation in drain discharge after hepatectomies justifies long-term drain maintenance.
- Source :
-
Hepato-gastroenterology [Hepatogastroenterology] 2005 Jul-Aug; Vol. 52 (64), pp. 1206-10. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Background/aims: Need for abdominal drains after liver resection is debated. However, unrecognized bile leak is relatively frequent: to prevent bile collection we adopted the use of long-term drains. The aim of this study was to validate this policy checking the bilirubin concentration in the drain discharge and serum along the postoperative course.<br />Methodology: A prospective cohort study enrolling 58 consecutive patients with liver tumors was carried out. All patients underwent liver resection and received abdominal drains which were maintained for at least 7 days postoperatively. The bilirubin concentration in serum and drain discharge was sampled on the 3rd, 5th and 7th postoperative days.<br />Results: No postoperative mortality and major morbidity were observed. The bilirubin level in drain discharge was higher on the 5th postoperative day than on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days: difference between the 3rd and 5th postoperative days was significant. No differences were observed among serum bilirubin levels on 3rd, 5th and 7th postoperative days.<br />Conclusions: The bilirubin level in drain discharge increases late in the postoperative course. Therefore, bile leakage should be evaluated between the 5th and 7th postoperative days. The use of long-term drains helps protect against undiscovered collections and thus impacts postoperative course.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0172-6390
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 64
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Hepato-gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16001662