Liver resection is not associated with decreased cortisol levels.

• Background: Adrenal hormones are synthesized from cholesterol, produced and stored in the liver. Liver failure has been reported to be associated with adrenal insufficiency. A possible mechanism could be a limited supply of substrate for cortisol synthesis. The aims of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of total serum cortisol <200 nmol/L after major liver resection (≥ 30%) and other major surgery (hemicolectomy) and to assess associations between cholesterol and corti­sol levels after liver resection.Methods: Prospective, observational study. 40 patients were included (major liver resection n=15, hemicolectomy n=25). Serum and salivary cortisol were followed from morning before surgery up to five days postoperatively. Sulphated dehy­droepiandrosterone (DHEAS) and lipids (cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins and triglycerides) were obtained in liver resection patients.Results: 8/25 (32%, hemicolectomy patients), and 3/15 (20%, liver resection patients) had serum cortisol <200 nmol/L. Neither hemicolectomy nor liver resec­tion was significantly associated with serum cortisol <200 nmol/L, p=0.49. Serum cortisol <200 nmol/L was not significantly associated with lipids below normal limits, (cholesterol; p=1.0 day 1, p=0.46 day 4, LDL; p=0.56 day 1, p=1.0 day 4, and HDL; p=0.27 day 1, p=1.0 day 4). Serum and salivary cortisol correlated sig­nificantly (rs=0.83, p<0.0001, hemicolectomy, rs=0.80, p<0.0001, liver resection).Conclusion: Serum cortisol levels <200 nmol/L was found in 32% (hemicolec­tomy) and 20% (liver resection) postoperatively. Compared to after hemicolec­tomy, serum cortisol <200 nmol/L was not significantly more common after liver resection. Lipids below normal limits were not associated with serum cortisol <200 nmol/L after liver resection.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Anestesi och intensivvård (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (hsv//eng)

Keyword

gastrointestinal surgical procedures

adrenal insufficiency

hydrocortisone

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)