LIDOCAINE METABOLITE FORMATION AS A MEASURE OF PERIOPERATIVE LIVER-FUNCTION

In order to determine whether lidocaine metabolism, as the formation o f monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), could be used as a quantitative ind ex of perioperative liver function, serum levels of MEGX in 31 surgica l patients were measured and compared with the results of conventional liver function tests. A significant correlation was found between the values of MEGX and ICGR15 in 20 of the 31 patients. The values of ICG R15 were lower than 20% in patients whose MEGX values were above 60 ng /ml and 20% or higher in those with MEGX values of lower than 60 ng/ml . There was also a significant correlation between MEGX values and ant ithrombin III values, and between MEGX values and the postoperative ma ximum levels of aspartate aminotransferase. However, no correlation wa s found between MEGX values and other preoperative conventional liver function tests in any of the 31 patients. We suggest that a cut-off ME GX value of 60 ng/ml be used as an indicator for satisfactory preopera tive liver function. MEGX formation could be a useful prognostic index for patients who have undergone surgical procedures for liver disease , and employed as a quantitative assessment of perioperative liver fun ction.