Association of Serum Albumin Level with Wound Healing after Caesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Hypoalbuminemia, indicative of malnutrition and illness, is associated with a heightened risk of poor post-operative outcomes, particularly impaired wound healing. Pregnancy, characterized by elevated estrogen levels, may further complicate wound healing processes. Objective: To evaluate the association of serum albumin level with wound healing after a caesarean section. Methods: A cohort of 100 pregnant patients undergoing caesarean section at Dhaka Medical College Hospital was included between January and December 2020. Preoperative serum albumin levels were measured, with hypoalbuminemia defined as < 3.5 g/dl. Patients were categorized into groups of hypoalbuminemic (Group I) and normal albuminemic (Group II). Postoperatively, patients were monitored for 60 days to identify surgical site infections and signs of delayed wound healing. Results: The mean preoperative serum albumin level was 2.57±0.35 gm/dl in group I and 4.2±0.4 gm/dl in group II. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups. Out of 19 patients, 9 (47.4%) developed post caesarean wound infection and delayed wound healing in group I. Out of 81 patients, 7(8.6%) developed post caesarean wound infection and delayed wound healing in group II. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) with OR=9.51 having 95% CI (2.52-37.32). The number of post-operative days in hospital was 13.11±6.14 in group I and 3.22±1.41 in group II. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups. A subject with serum albumin (<3.5 gm/dl) had 7.626 (95.0% CI 2.324 to 25.02) times increased risk to develop wound infection and delayed wound healing after surgery. Other variables were not significantly associated with delayed wound healing. Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor for the delay in wound healing. Low serum albumin level correlates well with the development of surgical site infection and delayed wound healing contributed to prolonged hospital stay.