Pre-operative hypoalbuminemia: overlooked prior knee arthroplasty?

Abstract

<p class="BodyA"><strong>Background:</strong> Role of preoperative serum albumin on primary total knee arthroplasty.</p><p class="BodyA"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 1022 patients who underwent primary knee arthroplasty were collected. All patients were divided into the control group (preoperative serum albumin ≥3.5 g/dl) and case group (preoperative serum albumin <3.5 g/dl). The risk factors of preoperative hypoalbuminemia and the postoperative complications were analyzed.</p><p class="BodyA"><strong>Results:</strong> Compared to controls, hypoalbuminemia patients were older (p<0.05 ), had higher risk for any complication such as delayed wound healing, pleural effusion, and pneumonia, lower BMI and longer hospital stay (p<0.001).</p><p class="BodyA"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is more frequent in patients who are older, have poor nutritional condition, and have more than two concurrent disorders. Hypoalbuminemia before surgery is linked to a higher risk of postoperative problems.</p>