Predictive value of postoperative negative fluid balance on the mortality rate of operation and complications for patients with gastric carcinoma undergoing D_3 lymphadenectomy

Objective To assess the value of postoperative negative fluid balance on prediction of the mortality rate of operation and complications for patients with gastric carcinoma undergoing D_3 lymphadenectomy. Methods The clinical data of 82 cases of gastric carcinoma undergoing D_3 lymphadenectomy from Jan. 1994 to Mar. 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into group A and group B by the time of emerging negative fluid balance: 70 patients emerged negative fluid balance within the first 3 days postoperatively(group A), while 12 patients didn’t(group B). Results There was no significant difference in perioperative related factors between two groups(P 0.05 ).The mortality rate of operation and morbidity rate in group A were significantly lower than those in group B(P 0.01 ).Conclusion The time of emerging postoperative negative fluid balance is an important predictive indictor of higher risks of complications.