Abstract
Background: Serum albumin is a marker of nutrition and inflammation. Currently, hypoalbuminemia is used as a
marker of inflammation and a predictor of outcome in post-surgical patients. It is associated with increased
morbidity and mortality in patients having surgery for cancer disease.
Objectives: to evaluate the implication of hypoalbuminemia on early postoperative complications in major cancer
surgery.
Methods: 40 patients undergoing elective major cancer surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided
according to their serum albumin level into two groups. Group I: with serum albumin >35 g/L and Group II: with
serum albumin ≤ 35 g/L. Major postoperative complications and length of stay in ICU (Intensive care unit) were
documented.
Results: Postoperative complications were higher in number and percentage in group II (serum albumin ≤ 35 g/L)
compared to group I (serum albumin > 35 g/L). Furthermore, the length of ICU was significantly longer in group II
(serum albumin ≤ 35 g/L) (9.60±3.59 days) compared to group I (serum albumin > 35 g/L) (6.95±0.69 days) (P=
0.002).
Conclusion: The current study revealed that preoperative hypoalbuminemia increases the risk of postoperative
complications and length of stay in ICU after major cancer surgery, as such, accounts for high proportion of ICU
budget.