Abstract
Liver regeneration pattern and metabolic changes after major hepatectomy in children were studied based on our cases aged from 3 3/12 to 7 9112 year-old (average 1 9/12 year-old)
The results were as follows: 1) The residual liver volume after major hepatic resection were restored to preoperative volume at 8 weeks after operation and the shape of regenerated liver showed spheric. 2) Serum protein, alubumin and cholinesterase value were continued in low levels after operation but these returned to approximately to normal level at 4 weeks after oparation. Serum transaminase level was increased postoperatively but was normalized at 7th postoperative day.
From the above results, the liver regeneration after major hepatectomy in children is rapid, and is completed for the most part, functionally at 4 weeks and morphologically at 8 weeks.
