The role of preoperative phenylalanine breath test in hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The phenylalanine breath test may serve as a liver function test, although its clinical usefulness has never been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative phenylalanine breath test in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODOLOGY: Twenty-seven patients undergoing hepatectomy were studied. The PBT30 (phenylalanine excretion ratio at 30 min) was measured after oral administration of 100 mg of L-[1-(13)C]-phenylalanine. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were compared with the value of PBT30, ICGR15 (plasma retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 min), Child-Pugh score, and other blood chemical tests together with operative factors. Independent factors contributing to postoperative mortality and morbidity were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 25.9%, respectively. PBT30 and ICGR15 values were significantly different between the groups with and without postoperative complication, and these two parameters independently contributed to prediction of postoperative complication.

CONCLUSIONS

PBT30 is a clinically useful predictor for postoperative complication in patients undergoing hepatectomy.