[Postoperative hemoglobin course and septic complications following stomach resection]

Preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin curves were studied in male patients, following two-third gastrectomy. A group with early septic complications was compared to one without. The groups were comparable for age distribution and pathological patterns (ulcer/gastric stenosis and carcinoma). Preoperative haemoglobin mean values were a the lower normal limit and dropped to 10.8 g/dl in the group with complications on the fifth day from surgery, but stayed constant at 12 g/dl in the control group, as of the second postoperative day. Haemoglobin dropped to mean values around 11 g/dl immediately after surgery in patients with severe complications, such as suture dehiscence. All groups deviated clearly from normal Hb.