Hyperamylasemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Postoperative hyperamylasemia was evaluated in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.


METHODS
Serum levels of amylase, lipase and bilirubin were evaluated prospectively in the immediate postoperative period in 39 consecutive patients who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.


RESULTS
Hyperamylasemia was found in 16 patients (41%), hyperlipasemia in 17 (43%) and hyperbilirubinemia in 9 (23%). Peak elevations were observed at 24 hours postoperatively and most returned to normal at 1 week. Elevation of these parameters was significantly associated with length and difficulty of the procedure. No patient demonstrated clinical acute pancreatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended retraction of the pancreas during post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may cause a minor reversible injury to the pancreas expressed as hyperamylasemia, hyperlipasemia and, rarely, jaundice. These findings are important to consider in the differential diagnosis of hyperamylasemia following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
Baniel
J
J
Department of Urology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
Leibovitch
I
I
Foster
R S
RS
Rowland
R G
RG
Bihrle
R
R
Donohue
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D001663:Bilirubin