Hepatobiliary Disease

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic surgery is associated with substantial risk of postoperative complications. Albumin is a negative acute phase protein. Its rapid decline may be due to degree of inflammation due to surgical procedures. The decline may due to multifactorial causes. Currently, contemporary data regarding the time to recovery of albumin, as a marker for early recovery of patient from surgical stress is sparse. Delta albumin is influenced by perioperative fluid administration and albumin supplementation. Delta albumin may not reflect the true surgical stress. Early post op albumin is a reflection of intraoperative events and not postoperative recovery or events and is unpredictable. Shorter recovery time of albumin is associated with less post op complications and hospital stay. Earlier recovery of albumin predicts lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay.