One thousand and eleven @entity1 discharged from the postoperative recovery ward with intravenous infusions were reviewed in order to audit the extent of assessment of serum @entity1133 and electrolytes (U_Es) and the change in serum U_Es over the perioperative period. 69.7% had preoperative U_Es estimation, 42.5% had both a pre- and postoperative estimation and in 5%, only a postoperative estimate was undertaken. 12.2% of @entity1 whose U_Es were measured had an abnormal preoperative serum @entity972 compared to 17.2% postoperatively (NS). Compared to a preoperative incidence of 13%, more @entity1 (27.3%) had an abnormal postoperative serum @entity1372 (p < 0.0001). There was a tendency towards postoperative hyponatraemia: 10.0% in the preoperative period compared to a postoperative 25.3% (p < 0.0001). More tests were performed in the elderly (83.9% in age > 65 years versus 69% in age 17-64-p < 0.0001) who were more likely to have electrolyte disturbances preoperative hypokalaemia (p < 0.05), @entity86 (p < 0.05), postoperative hyponatraemia (p < 0.03) and raised serum @entity1133 , both pre- and postoperatively (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0005 respectively). @entity1 undergoing intraabdominal procedures did not have significantly different peri-operative electrolyte abnormalities. Fewer tests were performed in emergency @entity1 , who were hypokalaemic in the postoperative period compared to elective @entity1 (p < 0.01). There was a higher incidence of preoperative hyponatraemia and raised serum @entity1133 in the emergency group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0002 respectively). @entity341 often had a degree of preoperative hypokalaemia which persisted after surgery (p < 0.0001). Results indicate an increased risk of serum electrolyte abnormalities following peri-operative intravenous fluid therapy. However in the majority of @entity1 , the magnitude of the change is not significant clinically.

Audit of changes in serum XXXX and electrolytes following peri-operative intravenous fluid therapy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity1133 :: ('MESH:D014508', 'Chemical') :: ['urea'] @entity341 :: ('MESH:D004630', 'Disease') :: ['Neurosurgical emergencies'] @entity1372 :: ('MESH:D012964', 'Chemical') :: ['sodium'] @entity86 :: ('MESH:D019106', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative hyperkalaemia'] @entity972 :: ('MESH:D011188', 'Chemical') :: ['potassium']
@entity1133 :: (MESH:D014508,Chemical) :: ['urea']
