Role of epidural anesthesia in a fast track liver resection protocol for cirrhotic patients - results after three years of practice

Table 4 Post-operative data

		Group no epidural (n = 86)	Group epidural (n = 40)	P
Hepatic function tests
AST (UI/L)	POD 1	205 ± 141	238 ± 168	0.239
(P = 0.451)	POD 3	97 ± 66	96 ± 54	0.334
	POD 7	49 ± 29	52 ± 26	0.636
ALT (UI/L)	POD 1	195 ± 161	229 ± 210	0.144
(P = 0.605)	POD 3	157 ± 126	157 ± 106	0.391
	POD 7	67 ± 47	73 ± 40	0.884
Bilirubin (mg/dL)	POD 1	1.60 ± 1.0	1.60 ± 0.88	0.994
(P = 0.557)	POD 3	1.8 ± 1.05	1.57 ± 0.81	0.306
	POD 7	1.38 ± 1.06	1.26 ± 1.31	0.636
INR	POD 1	1.34 ± 0.18	1.31 ± 0.20	0.593
(P = 0.544)	POD 3	1.31 ± 0.16	1.30 ± 0.25	0.899
	POD 7	1.26 ± 0.14	1.12 ± 0.15	0.319
Platelet count	POD 1	163649 ± 78332	148015 ± 72007	0.647
(P = 0.532)	POD 3	148015 ± 72007	132275 ± 43514	0.277
	POD 7	191073 ± 74978	187586 ± 63602	0.827
Kidney function tests
Creatinine (mg/dL)	POD 1	0.96 ± 0.87	0.87 ± 0.42	0.579
(P = 0.417)	POD 3	0.98 ± 1.04	0.79 ± 0.29	0.331
	POD 7	0.96 ± 1.15	0.78 ± 0.28	0.410
Urea (mg/dL)	POD 1	33.37 ± 13.87	32.86 ± 12.17	0.866
(P = 0.315)	POD 3	38.0 ± 21.17	33.79 ± 14.27	0.332
	POD 7	35.57 ± 20.13	29.76 ± 11.67	0.151

For repeated measures, the P value expressed under the variable is referred to the between subjects effect test. AST: Aspertate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine transaminase; INR: International normalized ratio; POD: Postoperative days.