Elevation of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and bilirubin levels was noted incidentally in patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC). This study was attempted to investigate the elevation of liver
enzymes
and bilirubin levels after LC and its clinical significance. Twenty patients who showed normal levels of preoperative liver function test were entered into this study, and blood was collected at 24 hours, 72 hours and 7 days after operation for
measurement of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and bilirubin levels. In AST, a mean 2.76-fold postoperative increase was observed in 18 patients(90%) and 12 patients(60%) showed an elevation rise above normal limits. In ALT, a mean 2.14-fold
postoperative increase was observed in 16 patients(80%) and 10 patients(50%) showed an elevation rise above normal limits. A mean 1.42-fold and a mean 2.12-fold increase were observed in total and direct bilirubin level respectively and elevation
above
normal limits occurred in 7 patients(35%) and 4 patients (20%) respectively. The patients with an elevation of AST, ALT and bilirubin levels did not show any related clinical problem, and the elevations were transitory and returned to normal
value
within several days without any specific treatment. Although the exact causes of these elevations need further investigation, they appear to have no obvious clinical significance.
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