Preoperative Serum Albumin Level as a Predictor of Surgical Site Infection in Emergency Laparotomy

Abstract

Introduction: Serum albumin level is the most readily available and clinically useful parameter used to predict surgical site infection. According to Centres for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), surgical site infection (SSI) is defined as an infection occurs within 30 days of the procedure or within 1 year if prosthesis is implanted, increasing the risk of poor clinical outcome.

Methods: This is a prospective study where 58 patients with estimated preoperative serum albumin level had undergone exploratory laparotomy with acute abdominal conditions in Department of General Surgery, National Medical College and Teaching Hospital over period of January 2021 to July 2021. History and detailed clinical examination were performed as per the working proforma which included patients with record of preoperative serum albumin level. Albumin less than 3.5 g/dL was recognized as hypoalbuminemia. The association between preoperative serum albumin level and surgical site infection was assessed. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences)

Result: Total number of patients in our study was 58, out of which 63.79% were males. The youngest patient included was 20yrs and the eldest one was 85yrs of age. Total   23 patients (39.70%) had hypoalbuminemia at the time of operation. Surgical Site Infection were found in 20 cases with albumin <3.5g/dl and 7 cases with > 3.5g/dl (p=<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that when serum albumin level was less than 3.5gm/dl, surgical Site Infection were higher which was statistically significant.