title: Significance of serum potassium level monitoring during the course of post-operative rehabilitation in patients with hypokalemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to evaluate the significance of pre-hospital and post-operative serum potassium level monitoring and hypokalemia intervention in laparotomy patients with hypokalemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 118 laparotomy patients with hypokalemia were randomly divided into an intervention group (N = 60) and a control group (N = 58). Blood samples were collected for measurement of potassium levels at various time points (pre-admission, admission, 24 h and 48 h post-operation) for both groups. Hypokalemia interventions were administered to patients in the intervention group in the pre-admission period and the post-operative period. Visceral dynamics were assessed after laparotomy in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average serum potassium levels at admission, time period of drinking, and time of first bowel sound after laparotomy differed significantly (p < 0.001) between the two groups. Average serum potassium levels, first time of defecation, urination, and ambulation at 24 h and 48 h post-operation differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An optimal pathway of serum potassium monitoring not only saves limited ward space but also allows for early correction of hypokalemia in patients undergoing laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Zhejiang, 313000, People's Republic of China, guanzhenlu@yahoo.cn.
authors.forename: Guanzhen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Lingfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xuhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004035:Diet Therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D011188:Potassium