The Impact of Liver Resection Volume on Pancreatic Function: Novel Insights into Acute Liver-Pancreas Crosstalk After Hepatectomy

Abstract

Abstract The liver and pancreas work together to recover homeostasis after hepatectomy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of liver resection volume on the pancreas. We collected clinical data from 338 living liver donors. They were categorized into left lateral sectionectomy (LLS), left lobectomy, and right lobectomy (RL) groups. Serum pancreatic enzymes were compared among the groups. Serum amylase values peaked on postoperative day (POD) 1. Though they quickly returned to preoperative levels on POD 3, 45% of cases showed abnormal values on POD 7 in the RL group. Serum lipase levels were highest at POD 7. Lipase values increased 4.2-fold on POD 7 in the RL group and 80% of cases showed abnormal values. The RL group’s lipase was twice that of the LLS group. A negative correlation existed between the remnant liver volume and amylase (r = -0.291)/lipase (r = -0.380) on POD 7. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between POD 7 serum bilirubin and amylase (r = 0.245)/lipase (r = 0.330) levels, indicating cooccurrence with liver and pancreatic dysfunction. Pancreatic dysfunction due to hepatectomy occurs in a resection/remnant liver volume-dependent manner. It would be beneficial to closely monitor pancreatic function in patients undergoing a major hepatectomy.