title: The value of instant nutritional assessment in predicting postoperative complications and death in gastrointestinal surgical patients.
abstract: A retrospective statistical analysis of admission serum albumin and total lymphocyte counts (TLC) of 126 gastrointestinal surgical patients was accomplished to determine the value of these two parameters in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality. Patients were classified into four groups according to their laboratory values in the two parameters studied with Group I having the normal values (albumin greater than 3.5 and TLC greater than 1500) and Groups II through IV having one or both abnormal parameters. Groups were subjected to the chi-square test to determine the relationship of abnormal values to the incidence of postoperative complications and deaths. Levels of statistical significance were revealed when comparing the normal group to each of the abnormal groups. The data demonstrates the usefulness of admission serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts in predicting surgical complications and deaths. It also identifies that group of patients that might benefit from preoperative nutritional support.
mesh_terms: D005431:Florida; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin