Plasma Antithrombin III Levels in Postoperative Patients

Aim: To determine preoperative and postoperative plasma concentration of antithrombin III in three different disciplines of surgery as well as to carry out an inter-comparison of antithrombin III levels after major surgical procedures in orthopedic, gynecologic and general surgery. Settings: Study was carried out in department of pathology, at postgraduate medical institute Lahore, Pakistan during a period extending from January 1995 to December 1995. Design of study: An observational study. Methodology: Forty-five patients admitted in services hospital of Lahore, were selected from three different disciplines of surgery. All these patients underwent major surgical procedure. Out of forty-five patients, fifteen patients each were selected from orthopedic, gynecologic and general surgery ward. Fifteen normal healthy subjects, who were age and sex matched with patients were also selected as controls. Two citrated blood samples were drawn from each patient, preoperative sample was drawn one day prior to surgery and postoperative sample on third postoperative day. A single citrated blood sample was taken from each control subject. Results: Plasma antithrombin III concentration decreased significantly during postoperative period in all three disciplines of surgery. In our study percentage decrease in antithrombin III concentration was highest in orthopedic surgery (29.3%), followed by (25.1%) and (25.0%) in gynecologic and general surgery respectively. Conclusion: In all three surgical disciplines after major surgical procedures, there was highly significant decrease in concentration of antithrombin III. This postoperative decrease in concentration of antithrombin III was more pronounced in orthopedic surgery and less in gynecologic and general surgery