Abstract
Introduction
Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection (LCCS) has been shown to reduce blood loss when compared to open surgery. There are no national guidelines regarding need for pre-operative group and save(G&S) sampling in LCCS patients. Our study aims to assess the necessity of G&S samples through identifying rates of post-operative transfusion following LCCS.
Methods
Retrospective study of all patients who underwent LCCS between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019.
Results
Of 102 surgical procedures, 42 right hemicolectomy, 21 anterior resection, 19 sigmoid colectomy, 12 left hemicolectomy, and 8 APER. The median age was 67(range 56-86) years. All received two valid G&S samples. 13 cases were converted.
The median pre-operative haemoglobin was 127g/L, and median post-operative haemoglobin was 114g/L. The median blood loss was <100mls. Only 4(3.9%) patients required post-operative transfusion, 3 of whom were converted due to intra-operative bleeding. The fourth case had decreased haemoglobin post-operatively without need for return to theatre. A significant difference was evident in pre-operative haemoglobin level in patients who needed transfusion compared to those who did not (P = 0.031).
A total of 9 units were transfused. Twenty-one pre-operative cross-matched units were not used.
Conclusion
Evidently, blood transfusion is most likely required in open conversion cases due to intra-operative blood loss, as well as in patients with low pre-operative haemoglobin. A patient specific approach to assessing requirement for pre-operative G&S in elective LCCS patients is required to improve cost-effectiveness, particularly taking into account those with normal pre-operative haemoglobin.