Abstract

Introduction

Albumin is a blood plasma protein synthesized in the liver. It is the single most abundant protein in plasma and constitutes about 2/3rd of the total protein content. Because it is the main protein in human blood, decreased synthesis or losses result in impaired regulation of intravascular oncotic pressure and manifests as edema. Serum albumin is a good and simple predictor of surgical risk and has a close correlation with the degree of malnutrition. A decrease in serum albumin concentrations is an almost inevitable findings in disease states, and is primarily mediated in the acute phase by alterations in vascular permeability and redistribution. This change is not disease specific but marked changes that persist are generally associated with poorer prognosis. Lower serum albumin levels showed a trend toward having higher post operative mortality rates and had significantly higher rates of several complications than did patients with higher serum albumin levels. Hypoalbuminemia is a predictor of delayed recovery of bowel function and is strongly associated with post operative complications after surgeries for colonic pathologies. The role of albumin in maintenance of homeostasis is well known but the mechanism of its deficiency and the harmful effects of the same in patients especially who have undergone major surgery have not been well understood till now. This study tries to determine the relationship between hypoalbuminemia and the incidence of complications and to evaluate the effects of hypoalbuminemia on complications namely wound infections , respiratory infections, UTI, anastomotic leaks, post operative bowel function and hospital stay of the patient.