Correlation Between the Preoperative Serum Level of Albumin and Development of SSI After Surgery for Digestive Tract Perforation

Abstract

【Purpose】 We examined the correlation between the serum albumin (Alb) level before surgery for digestive tract perforation and the incidence of surgical-site infection (SSI). 【Subjects and Methods】 The subjects were 39 patients who underwent surgery for digestive tract perforation in our department between April 2006 and March 2008, in whom the levels of Alb were measured. We divided the patients into two groups (SSI group, n=16 ; non-SSI group, n=23) and compared the patient background factors and serum Alb levels between the two groups : 16 patients with SSI (SSI group) and 23 without SSI (non-SSI group). 【Results】 Of the total, 41% of the subjects developed SSI. The volume of blood loss was significantly greater (p=0.04) and the serum Alb level was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the SSI group than in the non-SSI group. The incidence of SSI was significantly higher (59.1%) in the patients with serum Alb levels of 3.4mg/dL or more.Conclusion : The risk of SSI in patients undergoing emergency surgery for digestive tract perforation was correlated with the serum Alb level, suggesting that this parameter could be used as a predictor of SSI.