Open AccessAssessment of the Amylase-Creatinine Clearance Ratio in Postoperative Patients
Author(s) -
Peter A. Leckie,
Patrick Ferreira,
Haile T. Debas
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198008000-00011
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatitis , incidence (geometry) , surgery , clinical significance , renal function , creatinine , gastroenterology , physics , optics
The value of the amylase--creatinine clearance ratio (ACCR) in the diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis was prospectively assessed. In 77 patients undergoing operations known to have a significant incidence of postoperative pancreatitis (gastric, biliary or pancreatic) i.e. "high risk" group, the ACCR was abnormally elevated postoperatively in 36 patients (47%). However, overt clinical pancreatitis occurred in only eight patients (10%). In 60 other patients undergoing nonabdominal operations (orthiipedic, head and neck, varicose vein surgery etc.) i.e. "low risk" group, the ACCR was abnormally elevated postoperatively in 23 patients (38%). No patient in this group developed clinical pancreatitis. We conclude, therefore, the ACCR is often abnormally elevated nonspecifically following any type of surgery, and cannot be used as evidence of postoperative pancreatitis. These data do suggest, however, that a normal ACCR, especially on successive daily determinations, might help to exclude the diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis.