Serum phosphate after major hepatectomy or liver transplant may reflect the status of hepatocyte function.
The serum phosphate concentration often falls after a major liver resection or liver transplant. This indicates that the hepatocytes are metabolically active. Failure to develop hypophosphatemia within 72 hours may reflect insufficient liver reserve (Squires et al).
A serum phosphate concentration on postoperative day 2 > 2.4 mg/dL was associated with post-operative hepatic insufficiency and other complications.
A profound drop in serum phosphate may reflect phosphorus depletion and indicates the need for phosphorus replacement.
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