Delayed Return of Gastrointestinal Function after Partial Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Partial hepatectomy (PH) remains associated with complication rates around 30-50%. Delayed return of gastrointestinal function (DRGF) has been reported in 10-20%. This study aimed to assess DRGF predictors after PH.

Methods: This study included all consecutive adult patients undergoing PH between January 01, 2010, and December 12, 2019. DRGF was defined as the need for postoperative nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion. Patients leaving the operation room with a NGT were excluded. Independent DRGF predictors were identified with multivariable logistic binary regression.

Results: A total of 501 patients were included. DRGF occurred in 82 patients (16%). Among DRGF patients, 17% (n = 14) needed a second NGT placement. DRGF incidences were similar before and after Enhanced Recovery after Surgery implementation in 2013 (16/78 = 20% vs. 66/423 = 16%, p = 0.305). A hundred-and-twelve patients (22%) underwent a minimally invasive approach and DRGF incidence was significantly lower in this group (5/112 = 4.5% vs. 77/389 = 19.8%, p < 0.001). DRGF was more frequent after major PH (55/238 = 23% vs. 27/263 = 10%, p < 0.001). DRGF occurred more often in patients with preoperative embolization (26/88 = 30% vs. 55/407 = 14%, p < 0.001), biliary anastomosis (20/48 = 42% vs. 61/450 = 14%, p < 0.001), and extrahepatic resection (37/108 = 34% vs. 45/393 = 11%, p < 0.001). Patients with DRGF had longer median operation duration (374 vs. 263 min, p < 0.001), more biliary leaks/bilomas (27/82 = 33% vs. 33/419 = 7.9%, p < 0.001), and higher median blood loss (1,088 vs. 701 mL, p < 0.001). DRGF patients developed more pneumonia (14/22 = 64% vs. 8/22 = 36%, p < 0.001) and had longer median length of stay (19 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, operation duration (OR 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002-1.008, p < 0.001), major hepatectomy (OR 3.606, 95% CI: 1.931-6.732), and postoperative biloma/biliary leak (OR 6.419, 95% CI: 3.019-13.648, p < 0.001) were independently associated with DRGF occurrence.

Conclusion: Postoperative DRGF occurred in 16% of the patients and was associated with a longer length of stay. Surgery duration, major PH and postoperative biloma/biliary leak were found as independent predictors of DRGF.