Association of Preoperative Serum Albumin Levels with Postoperative Surgical Complication among Patients

INTRODUCTION:The presence of hypoalbuminemia is notably correlated with elevated morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery, as it contributes to an increase in postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of preoperative serum albumin levels with postoperative surgical complications among patients MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Design & Settings:Present prospective cohort study was conducted at Surgical Department Bolan Medical College/SPH, Quetta, from 14 th October 2025 to 15 th April 2026.Methods: A total of one hundred thirty-four patients were selected using a consecutive sampling technique and categorized into two groups: hypoalbuminemia and normal albumin levels.A comprehensive medical history was collected for each patient, followed by clinical assessments and blood sample collection for serum albumin prior to surgery.Postoperative complications were evaluated through physical examinations, abdominal ultrasounds, and computed tomography scans. RESULTSOut of one hundred thirty-four patients, 58.2% and 53.7% patients were male and 41.8% and 46.3% were female with mean age of 42.4±11.1 and 41.9±11.6 years in hypoalbumenia and normal albumin group respectively.Postoperative complication were present in 49.3% and 10.4% patients including surgical site infection 31.3% and 4.5%, anastomotic leak 22.4% and 3%, gastrointestinal fistula 10.4% and 1.5%, prolonged ileus 19.4% and 1.5% and burst abdomen 7.5% and 0.0% in hypoalbumenia and normal albumin group respectively. CONCLUSIONLow serum albumin levels before surgery are significantly correlated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications in patients Key Words: Hypoalbumenia, morbidity, mortality, hypoalbuminemia.