725 Background: Perioperative red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) are associated with postoperative morbidity and may increase cancer recurrence through immunologic mechanisms following resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). We sought to explore the relationship between RBCTs and long-term survival following resection of CRLM in the contemporary surgical era. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database including all patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for CRLM from 2003-2012. Data regarding date of death was abstracted from a validated, population-based cancer registry. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS), compared based on RBCT (defined as time of surgery to 30 days following surgery) and on number of RBC units received using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association between RBCT and OS, while adjusting for prognostic factors including Fong score and period of treatment (2003-2007 vs. 2008-2012). Results: We included 483 patients operated for CRLM, of which 27.5% received RBCT. 90-day post-operative mortality was 4.8% and median follow-up was 33 (IQR: 20.1-54.8) months. Median survival in patients who received RBCT was 44.5 months compared with 93.5 months in patients who did not(p<0.0001). The difference persisted in subgroup analysis excluding patients who died within 90 days of surgery (62.3 vs. 93.5 months, p=0.023). After adjustment for Fong score and period of treatment, RBCT was independently associated with decreased OS (HR 2.15; 95% CI: 1.52-3.04). Conclusions: Perioperative RBCT is independently associated with decreased OS following hepatectomy for CRLM. Interventions to minimize and rationalize the use of RBCT for hepatectomy are warranted in order to mitigate this detrimental effect on long-term outcomes.
Influence of deep sternal wound infection on long-term survival after cardiac surgery
