Hyperbilirubinaemia after major thoracic surgery: comparison between open-heart surgery and oesophagectomy

BACKGROUND Hyperbilirubinaemia is a common occurrence in patients who are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) after major surgery, and it is associated with high mortality. We investigated the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia after two major types of thoracic surgery: open-heart surgery and oesophagectomy. In order to identify the risk factors associated with hyperbilirubinaemia after major surgery, we compared the incidence after open-heart surgery with that after oesophagectomy. RESULTS Hyperbilirubinaemia was detected in 51% of the open-heart surgery patients (n = 133) and in 64% in the oesophagectomy group (n = 74). The incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia was significantly related to the duration of surgery (P< 0.05). In the open-heart surgery group, duration of surgery was 465 +/- 24 min for the patients without hyperbilirubinaemia and 571 +/- 26 min for the patients with hyperbilirubinaemia. In the oesophagectomy group, the procedure durations were 415 +/- 17 min and 493 +/- 20 min, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 8% in the open-heart surgery group; the rate was 12% in those with hyperbilirubinaemia, but 5% in those without hyperbilirubinaemia. No members of the oesophagectomy group died, with or without hyperbilirubinaemia. Infection significantly affected both the occurrence of hyperbilirubinaemia and mortality in the open-heart surgery group. In the subgroups from the open-heart surgery group, 5% (three out of 65) of those without hyperbilirubinaemia (or evidence of infection) died; of the patients with hyperbilirubinaemia, 3% (one out of 38) of those without infection died and 23% (seven out of 30) with detected infection died. CONCLUSION After open-heart surgery and oesophagectomy, approximately half of the patients studied had higher levels of serum total bilirubin. Time spent in surgery was significantly related to the occurrence of hyperbilirubinaemia. Infection significantly affected mortality and total bilirubin levels after open-heart surgery. Control of infection plays a crucial role in the prevention of hyperbilirubinaemia and in reducing mortality.