Which of the following parameter will be increased after hepatectomy?
**Core Concept**
Hepatectomy, or liver resection, affects various physiological parameters, primarily due to the liver's role in metabolism, detoxification, and protein synthesis. The liver's functional capacity is often assessed using parameters like albumin, bilirubin, and clotting factors.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
After hepatectomy, the liver's remaining functional mass is subjected to increased workload and metabolic demands. This leads to an increase in **Albumin** levels in the short term, as the liver attempts to compensate for the reduced mass by increasing protein synthesis. Albumin is a critical protein for maintaining plasma osmotic pressure and binding various substances, including hormones, drugs, and calcium ions.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Bilirubin levels would actually decrease initially after hepatectomy due to reduced hepatic uptake and conjugation of bilirubin, but then increase as liver function recovers.
* **Option B:** Clotting factors, such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT), might be decreased or prolonged after hepatectomy, as the liver's reduced mass impairs coagulation factor synthesis.
* **Option D:** Enzymes like alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) might be increased after hepatectomy, but this is not the most accurate or relevant parameter.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
After hepatectomy, patients may experience a transient increase in liver enzymes like alkaline phosphatase, but the liver's reduced mass impairs its ability to detoxify and metabolize drugs, making patients more susceptible to drug toxicity.
**Correct Answer: C. Albumin**