Low Preoperative Albumin Levels Research Articles

Inflammation and outcome after general thoracic surgery

To determine whether preoperative inflammation predisposes to major postoperative complications (PC) and poor outcome. Prospective data collection of 153 consecutive patients aged 73+/-6 years scheduled for lung resection at a tertiary cancer center. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured before surgery, on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit, and on the first morning after surgery. PC occurred in 9/153 (5.9%) patients. In comparison to patients without PC, those with PC had a greater history of hypertension (P=0.047), higher frequency of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (P=0.007) and had a lower preoperative albumin level, 3.75+/-0.65 g/dl versus 4.28+/-0.33 g/dl, P=0.03. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated a strong association between PC and preoperative CRP (area under the curve of 0.86), albumin (area under the curve of 0.86) and less so for IL-6 (area under the curve of 0.79). Markers of inflammation, CRP and IL-6, can help distinguish patients who are at high risk for major PC. These preliminary and novel data suggest that in addition to low albumin, a previously described marker of outcome, systemic inflammation is likely to be important in the pathogenesis of important PC.

Nutritional status affects long term survival after lobectomy for lung cancer

Nutritional status has been reported as a predictor of complications following surgery for lung cancer. However, the impact of impaired nutrition in the long term has not been extensively studied. We have analysed our own experience after lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Six hundred and forty-two consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy for primary lung cancer in a single centre between October 1991 and April 2004 were included in the study. Impaired nutritional status was defined as any of low pre-operative albumin level (less than 30g/L), recent history of weight loss or low body mass index (BMI)--less than 18.5kg/m(2). There were 400 males and 242 females, median age 66 (range 32-89 years). Outcomes studied were hospital mortality and complications, and long term survival. A high proportion of patients (185 of 642, 28%) were classed as having poor nutritional status. There were 12 hospital deaths (1.9%). Nutritional depletion had no significant impact on hospital mortality (1.3% versus 2.7%), cardiac (14.4% versus 16.8%), or respiratory (17.5% versus 18.9%) complications. The overall median survival was 48+/-6 months (standard error). On Cox multivariate analysis, impaired nutritional status, tumour stage and need for en bloc chest wall excision were all independent predictors of survival. Nutritional status does not appear to significantly influence immediate outcomes following lobectomy for lung cancer. However, it is a predictor of survival in the long term independently of tumour extension and staging.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancies: the effect of bile colonization on the postoperative outcome

The presence of bacteria in the bile of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery has been proposed as associated to an increased incidence of postoperative complications. The present study was designed to determine whether colonization of the bile has an adverse effect in terms of postoperative infectious or noninfectious complications and mortality in a homogenous population of patients suffering from periampullary region malignancies, who all underwent resectional (curative) procedures. Between January 1997 and December 2002, 115 patients (n = 115) suffering from periampullary region malignancies underwent resectional procedures. Fifty-two of the above patients were referred having undergone preoperative internal biliary drainage. During the operation, bile was routinely isolated from the common bile duct and was sent for culture and sensitivity. Based on the bile culture results, the patients were divided in sterile and colonized group and were retrospectively compared in terms of postoperative outcome and mortality. Of the 115 bile cultures, 67 were colonized with bacteria and 48 were sterile. Postoperatively, 40 patients developed 35 noninfectious and 21 infectious complications. Univariate analysis did not disclose statistically significant differences in overall, noninfectious or infectious morbidity and mortality between the two groups of patients. Although not statistically significant, a higher incidence (22 vs 10%) of postoperative leaks in the colonized group of patients was noticed. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that colonized bile was independently related to the advanced age, preoperative biliary drainage presence, elevated preoperative serum bilirubin levels and low preoperative serum albumin levels but did not predispose to an increased postoperative morbidity, mortality, or reoperation rate. The present study did not conclude in any statistically significant differences in the postoperative infectious and noninfectious morbidity as well as mortality, between colonized and sterile groups of patients who underwent resectional procedures for malignancies of the periampullary region. Although internal biliary drainage introduces microorganisms into the biliary tree, this colonization does not increase the risk of either infectious or noninfectious complications or postoperative death. Thus, the likelihood of bacterobilia should not contraindicate the procedure in selected cases.

Facteurs pronostiques après résection pour cholangiocarcinome hilaire

Aims To evaluate short and long-term results in 23 patients resected for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods Between January 2001 and December 2003, 23 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were resected and considered for retrospective analysis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed on several clinicopathological variables in order to evaluate the short-term results. Median follow-up was 11 months (interquartile range 2–20 months). Results A major liver resection was performed in 19 out of 23 patients (82%): a right hepatectomy extended to segment 4 in 5 patients and a left hepatectomy in 14 patients. Resection of the caudate lobe was performed in 7 patients (30%). No hospital mortality occurred. Overall morbidity rate was 43%. The 1-year survival rate was 63.2% with a median survival of 19 months. Tumor recurrence appeared in 12 patients (52%). Low preoperative albumin level ( P = 0.006), presence of positive resection margin ( P = 0.03) and T-stage ( P = 0.02) were found to be related to a worse median survival. On multivariate analysis, only the preoperative albumin level and the presence of positive margin were confirmed as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion Aggressive surgical approach remains the only potentially curative therapy for the hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Low preoperative albumin level, presence of positive resection margin and T-stage resulted as factors influencing the prognosis after resection.

Relationship of postoperative septic complications and blood transfusions in patients with Crohn's disease

We prospectively studied 169 patients with Crohn's disease to determine if postoperative infectious complications could be related to perioperative blood transfusions. Postoperative septic complications developed in 18 of the 69 patients who received more than 1 unit of blood (26 percent) compared with 8 of the 100 patients (8 percent) who received 1 unit of blood or no blood (p = 0.0014). Previous operation, low body weight, and having an ostomy were also related to septic complications. Patients receiving more than 1 unit of blood were significantly more likely to have low preoperative serum albumin levels, to have undergone abdominoperineal or small bowel resection, and to have an ostomy. Postoperative septic complications were significantly related to perioperative blood transfusions after controlling for these potential confounding factors independently by subgrouping and simultaneously by using multiple logistic regression. Blood transfusion may be a more significant factor in postoperative immune suppression and susceptibility to infection than previously recognized.