Postoperative hyperfibrinogenemia in gastrointestinal surgery

Fibrinogen titres were determined in two groups of patients undergoing major abdominal and thoracic surgical operations. Patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgical procedures had higher fibrinogen levels than those subjected to other appropriate thoracic surgical procedures. Fibrinogen titre elevation in patients with gastrointestinal abnormalities were significant on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days after surgery compared with the other group of patients. This higher response in fibrinogen could be attributable to the greater smooth muscle content in the gastrointestinal system than in the other tissues considered in this study. Smooth muscle tissue inflammation may lead to acute circulatory problems through postoperative increase in fibrinogen concentration.