Effect of Age on Liver Function in Patients Undergoing Partial Hepatectomy

Background: Postresectional liver failure is the most frequent cause of fatal outcome following liver surgery. Diminished preoperative liver function in the elderly might contribute to this. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate preoperative liver function in patients 70 years of age scheduled for liver resection. Methods: All consecutive patients aged 70 years who are about to undergo elective liver surgery between 2011 and 2013 and underwent the methacetin breath liver function test (LiMAx) preoperatively were included. Histologic assessment of the resected liver gave insight into background liver disease. Correlation between age and liver function was calculated with Pearson's test. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included, 31 were aged 70 years. General patient characteristics and liver function LiMAx values (340 (137-594) vs. 349 (191-530) mu g/kg/h, p = 0.699) were not significantly different between patients aged 70 years. Moreover, no correlation between age and preoperative liver function LiMAx values was found ( R = 0.04, p = 0.810). Conclusion: Liver function did not seem to differ between younger and older patients.