A NONSPECIFIC COLONIC ULCER OCCURRING AFTER HEPATECTOMY - REPORT OF ACASE

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man with a nonspecific acut e colonic ulcer whose liver function deteriorated after he had undergo ne hepatectomy. He was referred to our hospital for a hepatoma caused by hepatitis B virus and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. His li ver function was poor after the operation, and minor complications suc h as pleural effusion and biliary fistula developed. A large amount of melena was seen 29 days after the hepatectomy and he developed hemorr hagic shock. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed pooling of blo od in both the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon and the cecum. A n emergency right hemicolectomy was performed. There was a 5 x 1-mm ul cer 18cm distal to the ileocecal valve. Numerous erosions were observe d to be scattered throughout the colonic mucosa. The patient recovered slowly and was discharged 6 months after the hepatectomy. This is the first report of an acute colonic ulcer that could have been caused by liver dysfunction.