### Pre-operative planning
1. low threshold to calculate [[Future Liver Remnant|sFLR]] (especially for any major resection)
2. Review imaging for anomalous anatomy
- right posterior sectoral duct draining to left system
- right hepatic artery traveling anterior to bile duct
3. Assess for occult portal HTN → low threshold to calculate [[portal HTN |portal pressures]]
- splenomegaly
- varices, porto-systemic (caval) collaterals
- thrombocytopenia
- prolonged oxaliplatin exposure
4. Consider the use of PHLF risk calculators
- [TELLAPRIALBI calculator](https://tellaprialbi.howto.health/home) for prediction of PHLF
5. Optimize liver quality preoperatively
- nutrition, weight loss (steatosis reduction)→ consider recommending a preoperative [liver weight loss diet](https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/annpjkhp/liver-reduction-diet-prior-to-bariatric-surgery_apr25.pdf)
- biliary drainage → based on dilation on imaging ± labs (alk phos, bilirubin)
---
### Intra-operative risk modifiers
Factors associated with postoperative liver dysfunction:
> Goal: preserve functional remnant quality, inflow, outflow, and biliary drainage.
- prolonged inflow occlusion / ischemia
- excessive blood loss or transfusion
- venous congestion
- inadequate future liver remnant
- biliary injury or devascularization
- prolonged operative time
- major hepatectomy in chemotherapy-injured liver
---
### Post-operative considerations
- avoid infection and sepsis
- maintain adequate nutrition/caloric intake
- recognize expected postoperative lab trajectories
- identify evolving PHLF early
>[!info] Key Principle
>The postop period is an essential time for hepatocyte regeneration → preserve hepatic perfusion and oxygen delivery
##### Expected postoperative lab trends
- AST/ALT rise immediately then decline
- INR peaks around 36–48 hr
- bilirubin often peaks later (POD 4–6)
![[Pasted image 20260514134931.png|350]]
*Graph @ [Dr. Steve Wigmore](https://profstevewigmore.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/why-do-people-develop-jaundice-after-liver-resection/)*
| Concerning Feature | Potential Etiologies |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Persistent INR elevation | PHLF, inadequate liver remnant, ongoing ischemic injury, sepsis |
| Rising bilirubin after POD5 | PHLF, biliary obstruction, bile leak/collection, sepsis |
| Worsening transaminases | Ongoing ischemia-reperfusion injury, vascular compromise, congestion, sepsis |
| Encephalopathy or lactate elevation | Significant hepatic dysfunction/PHLF, sepsis, inadequate hepatic clearance/perfusion |
*Findings are nonspecific and often overlapping; interpretation depends on operative context, remnant quality, and associated clinical findings.*
---
### References
>[!quote]- Selected References
>- [Dr. Steve Wigmore: Why do people develop jaundice after liver resection? 2012.](https://profstevewigmore.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/why-do-people-develop-jaundice-after-liver-resection/)
>- [Schindl MJ, et al. The value of residual liver volume as a predictor of hepatic dysfunction and infection after major liver resection. Gut. 2005](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15647196/)
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### Related pages
- [[Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF)]]
- [[Future Liver Remnant]]
- [[Liver Regeneration]]