IMPORTANCE OF THE EVALUATION OF SERUM ALBUMIN CONCENTRATION IN POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO MAJOR SURGERIES

Background - The prevalence of protein- energy malnutrition in surgical patients is high, ranging from 10% to 54%. The correct assessment of the nutritional status of such patients is crucial since malnourishment is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Aim - To assess the effect of surgical trauma in serum albumin concentration during the immediate postoperative period of major surgeries. Methods - The study was conducted on 100 randomly chosen adult patients submitted to elective major surgeries, classified according to sex, age and skin color. Blood samples for the determination of serum albumin concentrations were obtained on the days before and after the surgical procedure. Results - There was a reduction in serum albumin from 3.72 +/- 0.47 to 2.83 +/- 0.71 g/dL (P<0.0001) with no difference in sex or skin color for major surgeries. With respect to age groups, a greater drop in albumin was observed among patients aged over 65 years, followed by younger patients (< 45 years), and finally by patients aged 45 to 65 years. Conclusion - Major operations lead to acute reduction in albumin concentration in the immediate postoperative period, and it was more intense in patients aged over 65 years.