Correlation of serum albumin levels with early outcome and complications among gastric cancer surgery patients

Tanvir Hasan Shoaib; Girin Chandra Biswas; Shahajadi Shanjida Parveen; Mahnaz Tabassum Prova; M. Ekramul Haque; Kaselia Fatema; Sonia Rahman; M. Nahid Hossen

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20250664

Authors

Tanvir Hasan Shoaib Department of Surgical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Girin Chandra Biswas Department of Surgical Oncology, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, Barishal, Bangladesh
Shahajadi Shanjida Parveen Commanding Officer, 61 Field Ambulance, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mahnaz Tabassum Prova Department of Surgical Oncology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh
M. Ekramul Haque Department of Uro-Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Kaselia Fatema Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Sonia Rahman Department of Surgery, Rupganj Upazila Health Complex, Narayanganj, Bangladesh
M. Nahid Hossen Department of Medical Oncology, Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20250664

Keywords:

Gastric cancer, Hypoalbuminemia, Nutritional status, Postoperative complications, Serum albumin, Surgical outcome

Abstract

Background: Serum albumin, a marker of nutritional status, has been associated with surgical outcomes. This study evaluated the correlation between serum albumin levels and early postoperative complications in gastric cancer surgery patients.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted from July 2017 to March 2019 at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka. Forty patients with biopsy-proven operable gastric carcinoma were included using purposive sampling. Serum albumin levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively, and complications were assessed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean preoperative serum albumin level was 3.8±0.4 gm/dl, which significantly decreased to 3.3±0.2 gm/dl postoperatively (p<0.05). Postoperative hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 gm/dl) was observed in 52.5% of patients and was significantly associated with complications, including wound infections (38.1%), pneumonia (14.29%), urinary tract infections (28.57%), and duodenal sump leaks (9.52%). No complications were observed in patients with serum albumin levels ≥3.5 gm/dl (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Serum albumin is a reliable predictor of postoperative complications in gastric cancer surgery. Maintaining adequate serum albumin levels through nutritional optimization can significantly reduce morbidity, especially in resource-constrained settings. These findings underscore the need for integrating serum albumin monitoring into routine perioperative care.

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