Low Preoperative Albumin Levels Significantly Associated with Increased Risk of Wound Infection and Bleeding After Panniculectomy

<b>Introduction:</b> Panniculectomy is recognized to have a high complication rate with up to 56% of patients having postoperative wound healing problems. As they are generally elective procedures, surgeons have the chance to optimize preoperative variables. We reviewed the relationship between preoperative serum albumin and BMI with short-term postoperative panniculectomy complications. <b>Methods:</b> Patients undergoing panniculectomy between January 2005 and December 2019 were identified via CPT code 15830 from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). Multivariate logistic regression was performed on intra/postoperative bleeding and postoperative wound infection against preoperative serum albumin, diabetes status, age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status. Odds ratios were adjusted for comorbidities. We established statistical significance at p value <0.01. <b>Results:</b> Out of 1472 patients, 69 sustained intra/postoperative bleeding and 31 suffered wound infection. Lower preoperative albumin levels (R2 = 16.3%, p < 0.0001) and elevated BMI (R2 = 9.4%, p < 0.0001) were both significantly associated with increased likelihood of wound infection. For every 1 g/dL decrease in albumin, patients' odds of bleeding increased 1.85 (OR = 1.85, CI 95%= [1.14-2.99]) times, and odds of wound infection increased 5.03 (OR = 5.03, CI 95%= [2.78-9.10]) times (p < 0.0001). BMI and albumin were weakly correlated (r = -0.28) suggesting each had independent effects on complications. <b>Conclusion:</b> In patients undergoing panniculectomy, preoperative albumin level is significantly inversely associated with postoperative bleeding and wound complications. More research is needed to evaluate whether proactively optimizing albumin may reduce complications.