Rudasill SE, Morales RS, Sanaiha Y, et al. - Researchers examined how serum albumin is associated with outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Analyzing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, they identified 131,855 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 2005 to 2016. They divided patients patients into following four groups: < 3.0 g/dL (Severe Malnutrition), 3.0 - < 3.5 (Moderate Malnutrition), 3.5 - < 4.0 (Mild Malnutrition), and ≥ 4.0 g/dL (Normal Nutrition). In the study population, 14.0% had Severe, 22.8% Moderate, and 29.7% Mild Malnutrition; 33.5% were classified as Normal Nutrition. Findings revealed that reduced preoperative serum albumin is strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality even in less invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They identified an exponential relationship of preoperative serum albumin with mortality. An independent association of hypoalbuminemia with postoperative septic shock was observed. Based on these findings, preoperative risk stratification could be done in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.