Background
Postoperative hypophosphatemia is common and is associated with a lower risk of liver failure after hepatectomy but higher morbidity after pancreatectomy. Whether different physiologic mechanisms underlie the hypophosphatemia associated with these very different clinical outcomes is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the underlying mechanism in postoperative hypophosphatemia.
Study designs
We prospectively enrolled 120 patients who underwent major hepatectomy (n=30), minor hepatectomy (n=30), pancreatectomy (n=30), and laparotomy without resection (control group, n=30). Preoperative and postoperative serum and urinary phosphorus, calcium, and creatinine, as well as phosphaturic factors, including serum nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured. In addition, we evaluated urinary levels of nicotinamide catabolites, N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2-PY) and N-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4-PY).
Results
We found that significant hypophosphatemia occurred from postoperative day (POD) to POD2 in all 4 groups were preceded by hyperphosphaturia from preoperative day to POD1. Phosphate level alterations were associated with a significant increase in NAMPT levels from preoperative day to POD2 in all 3 resected groups but not in the control group. FGF-23 levels were significantly decreased postoperatively in all 4 groups while PTH levels did not change in any of the 4 groups. Urine levels of 2-PY and 4-PY significantly decreased in all 4 groups postoperatively.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the mechanism of hypophosphatemia is the same for both liver and pancreas resections. Postoperative hypophosphatemia is associated with increased NAMPT. The mechanism that upregulates NAMPT and its role on disparate clinical outcomes in postoperative patients warrant further investigation.