Body iron stores in patients subjected to surgery of the large bowel

Iron stores as estimated by serum ferritin concentration were studied in 40 patients subjected to colon surgery in reference to postoperative complications and restoration of iron stores, as well as to dietary and supplementary iron. The results showed that empty iron stores are common in patients subjected to colon surgery; 40 percent of the patients had a total loss before the operation. Preoperatively empty iron stores were associated (P less than .01) with an increased risk of postoperative complications that were not explained by other nutritional parameters. Surgery of the colon did not affect serum ferritin concentration or iron stores acutely or long-term. Intake of dietary iron was determined by food recording for seven days in all patients and was compared to 40 controls. The preoperative hemorrhagia and lower daily intake of dietary iron (8 +/- 3 mg) in the patients than in the controls (14 +/- 4 mg) may explain the empty iron stores. However, patients with normal iron stores also had low amounts of dietary iron (9 +/- 3 mg). In 12 patients with empty iron stores the effects of ferrous sulfate (80 mg Fe++) three times daily for six weeks were studied. The patients responded well to the therapy. It is concluded that preoperatively empty iron stores are common in patients subjected to colon surgery, and that this raises the risk of postoperative complications. Colon operations are not followed by acute or long-term changes in serum ferritin concentration or iron stores. The restoration of iron is achieved by oral iron therapy.