Abstract

TAPIAS M, Mónica  and  IDROVO CUBIDES, Victor. Pre-operative evaluation of patients with chronic liver disease. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2006, vol.21, n.2, pp.101-107. ISSN 0120-9957.

Patients with advanced liver disease have an increased risk of complications, compared to healthy patients when they undergo a surgical procedure. This risk is related to the type of surgery, to the type of anesthetic used, and to the severity of the underlying liver disease. Several risk factors for liver disease should be identified prior to a procedure. Those with advanced disease should undergo specific pre-surgical diagnostic tests. The Child Pugh score, and the MELD score, are very useful to establish the surgical risk in individuals with liver disease. The Child-Pugh score is a very useful tool that correlates closely to morbidity and mortality in patients with liver disease. Mortality rates in these patients undergoing major surgery is 10, 30 and 82% for Child-Pugh scores A, B and C respectively. In order to optimize the patient’s condition before surgery, a complete evaluation and management of conditions such as jaundice, coagulopathy, ascites, electrolite abnormalities, renal insufficiency and encephalopathy must be performed. This approach helps to reduce the complication rate in these individuals.

Keywords : Surgery; Liver.

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