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J. GARROTT ALLEN, M.D.; H. LIVINGSTONE, M.D.

Arch Surg. 1941;42(3):522-528.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

It is generally agreed that a reduction of the prothrombin content of the plasma frequently is seen during the postoperative period in patients with biliary fistula or obstructive jaundice. Such a reduction may occur even though preoperative correction of any prothrombin deficiency has been carried out through the medium of vitamin K and bile salt therapy. The hypoprothrombinemia seen in some of these patients may be so severe as to give rise to brisk hemorrhage during the postoperative period.¹

The cause of the postoperative prothrombin reduction seen in many patients with biliary fistula or obstructive jaundice has been subjected to controversy. In theory the postoperative hypoprothrombinemia may be the result of three factors: (1) loss of prothrombin commensurate with the amount of blood lost; (2) damage to the liver attendant on surgical procedures and anesthesia, and finally (3) failure to reestablish the body's normal reserves of prothrombin or one . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
CHICAGO

From the Department of Surgery of the University of Chicago.

Footnotes
This work has been aided by a grant from the Douglas Smith Foundation for Medical Research of the University of Chicago.

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