Background and aim of the work: Liver resection is usually followed by a degree of hepatocellular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on preserving postoperative liver function in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection. Patients and methods: After ethics committee eapproval, Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201508001251260) and consent approval. A total of 60 cirrhotic patients child A undergoing liver resection surgery were categorized into : NAC group (n=30) received intravenous infusion of NAC (10g/24 h in 250 ml of 5% dextrose) at the time of parenchymal transection and continued postoperatively for 2 days and control group (n=30) received a similar volume of 5% dextrose solution. Depth of anaesthesia was monitored with Patient State Index (PSI) of SED Line. Transoesophageal Doppler (TED) for haemodynamics, Oxygen delivery (DO2) and fluid optimization. Metabolic gas monitoring for oxygen consumption (VO2). Liver enzymes, International normalized ratio (INR),C reactive protein (CRP), Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and DO2 were compared between both groups. Conclusion: Intravenous administration of NAC in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection attenuated the post liver resection hepatic dysfunction as indicated from a reduced increase in transaminases ,ICAM 1 and CRP levels.

Intravenous Infusion of N-acetylcysteine in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection attenuates the postoperative increase in liver enzymes, C reactive protein and intercellular adhesion molecule 1. A randomized controlled trial