Fluid administration during abdominal surgery influences on coagulation in the postoperative period.

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative coagulopathy is an important concern for patients after major surgery. Our objective was to define the factors that correlate with postoperative deterioration in coagulation.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical case study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients (n = 150), who underwent major abdominal surgery, were randomly chosen to participate in the study. For each patient, demographic and medical data, anesthetic information, type and duration of surgery, hemodynamic variables, fluid administration, as well as preoperative and postoperative prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were collected. Statistical analysis was used to determine which factors correlated with deterioration of coagulation tests.

RESULTS

We found statistically significant correlation between deteriorating coagulation functions and administration of more than 3 l of crystalloids during abdominal surgery. There was also correlation between administration of more than 500 ml of colloid administration and elongation of protrombin time. The remainder of the above studied factors did not correlate with deteriorating coagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of more than 3-l crystalloids or 500-ml colloids during abdominal surgery correlates with postoperative coagulopathy.