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

Abstract 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 .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