Changes in Liver Enzymes after Surgery in Anti-Hepatitis C Virus-positive Patients

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of surgical intervention on changes in liver enzymes in patients with antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of 623 patients who underwent laparotomy in our department during the 2 years between January 2000 and December 2001, a group of 39 (6.3%) who were positive for the HCV antibody were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase (ChE) were the standard liver tests performed. The antibody to HCV was measured in serum using an ELISA kit that can detect antibodies against the combined epitopes. The postoperative elevated values of AST and ALP in the anti-HCV-positive group were significantly higher than those in the anti-HCV-negative group (p < 0.05). The postoperative decreased values of ChE in the anti-HCV-positive group were significantly greater than those in the anti-HCV-negative group (p < 0.02). The postoperatively decreased ratios of ChE in the anti-HCV positive group were significantly greater than those in the anti-HCV negative group (p < 0.0001). Using multivariate logistic regression modeling, testing positive for the antibody to HCV was independently and significantly associated with abnormal levels of ALT and ALP (p = 0.035 and 0.018, respectively). Monitoring liver enzymes such as ChE, ALT, and ALP might be effective for evaluating liver function after surgery in anti-HCV-positive patients.