Is albumin administration beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery?: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Surgeons commonly see postoperative hypoalbuminemia, but whether exogenous albumin administration is beneficial for these patients is unclear. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study design was used, allocating 127 hypoalbuminemic patients into the albumin or saline group after gastrointestinal surgery. We investigated the development of postoperative hypoalbuminemia, nutritional status, postoperative fluid balance, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Plasma albumin concentrations of both groups decreased after operations (P .01). No significant differences were found between groups (P > .05) in changes in postoperative plasma albumin concentration from baseline levels. Postoperative plasma albumin, total protein, and prealbumin levels were similar in the 2 groups. While 3-day and 5-day recovery ratios were similar, 7-day recovery ratios were lower in the albumin group (P < .05). No significant difference was found in overall fluid administration, urine output, or the incidence of postoperative complications between groups (23.4% for albumin group and 12.7% for control group, P = .116). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin administration in the early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery is not beneficial in correcting hypoalbuminemia or in clinical outcomes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.