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Laparoscopy

Remote Ischemic Postconditioning Fails to Improve Early Postoperative Liver Function in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have published new data on the efficacy of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) in patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy. Despite promising animal studies, the trial found that RIPostC did not significantly reduce liver function biochemical markers in the serum of patients, contradicting experimental findings. The study, led by Lijun Yang from the First Clinical Medical College of Gannan Medical University, involved 72 patients who received either RIPostC or no intervention.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of RIPostC in patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy, with 83 patients assigned to either RIPostC or no intervention.
  • The primary endpoints were postoperative liver function biochemical markers in the serum [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels] on postoperative days 1 and 2.
  • RIPostC did not significantly reduce ALT, AST, or TBIL compared with the control group (all p > 0.05).
  • No differences were observed in Pringle time, operation time, or length of postoperative hospital stay (p > 0.05).
  • The study found that a single RIPostC protocol did not improve early postoperative liver function.
  • The trial represents one of the first randomized controlled clinical evaluations of RIPostC during laparoscopic hepatectomy.
  • The research was conducted by Lijun Yang, Chao Yang, Mingwang Zeng, Yunyan Zhu, Chuanwu Zhang, Jing Chen, Yi Wang, Jinji Peng, Li-Feng Wang, Maolin Zhong, Haiyu Xie, and Weidong Liang from China.

Statistics:

  • 83 patients participated in the trial
  • 72 patients were analyzed (36 per group)
  • 72% of patients received RIPostC
  • 28% of patients did not receive RIPostC
  • Pringle time averaged 21 minutes
  • Operation time averaged 159 minutes
  • Length of postoperative hospital stay averaged 6 days
  • ALT levels did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.05)
  • AST levels did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.05)
  • TBIL levels did not significantly differ between groups (p > 0.05)

Sources:

  • "Effect of remote ischemic postconditioning on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy: a randomized double-blinded controlled trial." Frontiers in Medicine, 2025;12:1628781.
  • Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.

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