Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels predict the outcomes in hepatectomized patients with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the usefulness of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels as a prognostic factor in hepatectomized patients with early postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (HB). The serum HGF levels of 14 patients with early postoperative HB (serum total bilirubin level above 5 mg/dl lasting at least 3 days), were measured perioperatively (prior to and 6 h, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days following surgery) and the relationship between changes in serum HGF levels and postoperative outcome was analyzed. The 14 patients were divided into two groups; 6 patients (Group A) ameliorated by conservative therapies within 7 days after surgery, and 8 patients (Group B) with prolonged HB more than 2 weeks after surgery. Five patients (83%) in Group A showed relatively low maximum serum HGF levels (<2.0 ng/ml), whereas 7 patients (88%) in Group B showed high serum HGF levels (>2.0 ng/ml). Six of the 7 patients in Group B developed hepatic failure and died. These results suggest that, in patients with HB or those in whom it is expected to occur soon after hepatectomy, the measurements of serum HGF levels would be beneficial for determining therapy and predicting postoperative outcomes.