Transient liver dysfunction after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients

Introduction: The effect of laparoscopic surgery under CO2 pneumoperitoneum on liver function is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is associated with changes in liver function compared with open distal gastrectomy (ODG). Methods: A total of 205 patients who underwent LADG (n = 147) or ODG (n = 58) between January 1994 and April 2004 were included in this study. Liver function tests-aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total bilirubin-were examined before surgery and at 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. The postoperative clinical course was compared between the two groups. Results: AST levels on day 1 and ALT levels on days 1 and 3 were significantly higher in the LADG group. Albumin levels showed a marked decrease after operation in both groups, but the level recovered more rapidly in the LADG group than in the ODG group, showing significant differences on days 3 and 7. The total bilirubin levels remained unchanged from baseline. The postoperative complication rate was similar in the two groups, although 3 LADG patients among the 27 patients with liver disease suffered severe enteritis. Conclusions: Transient liver dysfunction was documented in patients after laparoscopic gastrectomy under CO2 pneumoperitoneum.