Is postoperative decrease of serum albumin an early predictor of complications after major abdominal surgery? A prospective cohort study in a European centre

Objective: To test postoperative serum albumin drop (Delta Alb) as a marker of surgical stress response and early predictor of clinical outcomes. Design: Prospective cohort study (NCT02356484). Albumin was prospectively measured in 138 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Blood samples were collected before surgery and on postoperative days 0, 1 2 and 3. Delta Alb was compared to the modified estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (mE-PASS) score and correlated to the performances of C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and lactate (LCT). Postoperative outcomes were postoperative complications according to Clavien classification and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI), and length of hospital stay (LoS). Setting: Department of abdominal surgery in a European tertiary centre. Participants: Adult patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, with anticipated duration >= 2 hours. Patients on immunosuppressive or antibiotic treatments before surgery were excluded. Results: The level of serum albumin rapidly dropped after surgery. Delta Alb correlated to the mEPASS score (r=0.275, p=0.01) and to CRP increase (r=0.536, p<0.001). Delta Alb also correlated to overall complications (r=0.485, p<0.001), CCI (r=0.383, p<0.001) and LoS (r=0.468, p<0.001). A Delta Alb >= 10 g/L yielded a sensitivity of 77.1% and a specificity of 67.2% (AUC: 78.3%) to predict complications. Patients with Delta Alb >= 10 g/L on POD 1 showed a threefold increased risk of overall postoperative complications. Conclusions: Early postoperative decrease of serum albumin correlated with the extent of surgery, its metabolic response and with adverse outcomes such as complications and length of stay. A decreased concentration of serum albumin >= 10 g/L on POD 1 was associated with a threefold increased risk of overall postoperative complications and may thus be used to identify patients at risk.