Serial Changes in Serum Levels of Pancreatic Isoamylase, Trypsin and Elastase 1 after Surgical Interventions to the Pancreas

Abstract

Serum levels of pancreatic isoamylase, trypsin and pancreatic elastase 1 were observed serially in 17 patients who underwent radical operation for gastric cancer with dissection of the anterior capsule of the pancreas and in 10 patients who underwent colorectal surgery (control group). Amylase and trypsin levels after gastrectomy were significantly higher than those in the control group on the 2nd and 4th postoperative days, but were not significantly different on the 7th postoperative day and thereafter. Elastase 1 levels were significantly higher than those in the control group from the 4th to 21 st postoperative day, but were not significantly different on the 2nd postoperative day. The serum level of elastase 1 increased more slowly and was late in returning to normal as compared with that of amylase after direct surgery on the pancreas.