BackgroundSerum albumin is generally considered to be a predictor of patients' nutritional status. Previous studies have used serum albumin to assess postoperative morbidity, mortality, and various other surgical outcomes in cardiac surgeries and elective gastrointestinal surgeries. In this study, we used preoperative serum albumin levels to assess postoperative surgical site wound complications in patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. MethodologyPreoperative serum albumin level was observed in 60 patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy due to various pathological conditions and were divided into those with hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level <3.5 g/dl and >3.5 g/dL). Postoperative surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and various complications, such as duration of hospital stay, prolonged ileus, the incidence of enterocutaneous fistula, the incidence of anastomotic leak, and 30-day mortality, were assessed. ResultsIn our study, about 65% of the patients had hypoalbuminemia. Among them, 56.4% of the patients had surgical site infections according to the Southampton grade, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.001. Moreover, 87.2% of the patients had wound dehiscence according to the World Union Wound Healing Societies Surgical Wound Dehiscence wound grading, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.001. In addition, statistical significance was noted between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and increased postoperative hospital stay, with a p-value of <0.001. ConclusionsPreoperative serum albumin value is a formidable predictor of postoperative surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and duration of hospital stay in patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Introduction: Breast abscess is a localised collection of purulent material within the breast, which can be a complication of mastitis. In women of reproductive age, these are predominantly lactational but non-lactational abscesses are also seen in premenopausal women. Abscesses generally require drainage in conjunction with antibiotics. For the treatment of breast abscesses, surgical incision and drainage are usually carried out under general anaesthesia, as a traditional method. Aim: To compare conventional incision and drainage versus open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain modalities of treatment of breast abscess in terms of different aspects including duration and quality of healing, number of dressings required, length of hospitalisation, postoperative complications. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised study conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. There were 30 patients in group A undergoing open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain and 30 patients in group B undergoing conventional incision and drainage. They were evaluated for the study period of 18 months, between October 2018 and April 2020. The data collected were analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: The incidence of breast abscess was more common in age group of 21-30 years with right side affected more than left side. Both the surgical procedures were comparable with each other in terms of incidence of recurrence. The primary closure group fared better with less incidence of postoperative pain (duration of analgesics requirement 2.40 vs 5.43 days), reduced hospital stay (3.63 vs 6.67 days) and dressings requirement was also less (2.33 vs 12.27 days) compared to standard incision and drainage drainage which were statistically significant. Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain placement can be considered as a safe and effective alternative to the standard incision and drainage in patients with breast abscess.