Concentrated albumin infusion as an aid to postoperative recovery after pelvic exenteration

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients underwent pelvic exenterations for gynecologic malignancies between June 1986 and June 1989. The postoperative fluid and electrolytes were managed by one of two regimens. One group of 10 patients was given concentrated 25% albumin infusion for the first 16 hr after surgery in addition to maintenance intravenous crystalloid solution according to ideal body weight. The second group of 18 patients received only a standard crystalloid solution. The albumin infusion group was found to have a more stable postoperative course as evidenced by less fluid boluses (P less than 0.01), fewer electrolyte bolus requirements (P less than 0.01), and easier management of blood pressure and urine output. There was a 50% decrease in total fluid requirement, a higher mean right atrial pressure (P less than 0.05), and a lower maintenance intravenous fluid rate (P less than 0.01). As a consequence, central hyperalimentation was started earlier (P less than 0.01) and the albumin infusion group left the Intensive Care Unit sooner than the non-albumin infusion group. There was not a single instance of clinical fluid overload with this slow infusion technique. Thus, concentrated albumin infusion was beneficial in the acute fluid management of these difficult patients.