Acute normovolemic hemodilution reduced allogeneic blood transfusion without increasing perioperative complications in patients undergoing free-flap reconstruction of the head and neck

Effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution and allogeneic blood transfusion on postoperative complications of oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction often need blood transfusions due to massive blood loss. With the increasing limitations of allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), doctors are considering acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) because of its advantages. By comparing the differences in the (Δ) blood indices and postoperative complications of patients receiving ABT or ANH during the reconstruction and repair of oral and maxillofacial tumor flaps, this study's purpose was to provide a reference for the clinical application of ANH.

METHODS

The clinical data of 276 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction from September 25, 2017, to October 11, 2021, in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the intraoperative blood transfusion mode, the patients were divided into two groups: ABT and ANH. The differences in the (Δ) blood indices and the incidence of postoperative complications between the groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 276 patients who had ANH (124/276) and ABT (152/276), there were no differences in (Δ) Hb, (Δ) PT, or (Δ) FIB (P > 0.05), while (Δ) WBC, (Δ) PLT, (Δ) APTT and (Δ) D-dimer were significantly different (P < 0.05). The blood transfusion method was not an independent factor for flap crisis (P > 0.05). The wound infection probability in patients with high post-PTs was 1.953 times greater than that in patients with low post-PTs (OR = 1.953, 95% CI: 1.232 ∼ 3.095, P = 0.004). A normal or overweight BMI was a protective factor for pulmonary infection, and the incidence of pulmonary infection in these patients was only 0.089 times that of patients with a low BMI (OR = 0.089, 95% CI: 0.017 ∼ 0.462). Moreover, a high ASA grade promoted the occurrence of pulmonary infection (OR = 6.373, 95% CI: 1.681 ∼ 24.163). The blood transfusion mode (B = 0.310, β = 0.360, P < 0.001; ANH: ln hospital stay = 2.20 ± 0.37; ABT: ln hospital stay = 2.54 ± 0.42) improved the length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative and postoperative blood transfusion (Δ) Hb, (Δ) PT, and (Δ) FIB did not differ; (Δ) WBC, (Δ) PLT, (Δ) APTT, and (Δ) D-dimer did differ. There was no difference in the effects of the two blood transfusion methods on flap crisis, incision infection or lung infection after flap reconstruction, but ANH resulted in a 3.65 day shorter average hospital stay than did ABT.

Postoperative long‑term outcomes of acute normovolemic hemodilution in pancreatic cancer: A propensity score matching analysis

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is a useful intraoperative blood conservation technique. However, the impact on long-term outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. The present study investigated the impact of ANH on long-term outcomes in patients with PDAC undergoing radical surgery. Data from 155 resectable PDAC cases were collected. Patients were categorized according to whether or not they had received intraoperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) or ANH. Postoperative complications, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS), before and after propensity score matching (PSM), were compared among patients who did and did not receive ANH. A total of 44 patients (28.4%) were included in the ANH group and 30 patients (19.4%) were included in the ABT group; 81 (52.3%) patients, comprising the standard management (STD) group, received neither ANH nor ABT. The ABT group had the worst prognosis among them. Before PSM, ANH was significantly associated with decreased RFS (P=0.043) and DSS (P=0.029) compared with the STD group before applying Bonferroni correction; however, no significant difference was observed after applying Bonferroni correction. Cox regression analysis identified ANH as an independent prognostic factor for RFS [relative risk (RR), 1.696; P=0.019] and DSS (RR, 1.876; P=0.009). After PSM, the ANH group exhibited less favorable RFS [median survival time (MST), 12.1 vs. 18.1 months; P=0.097] and DSS (MST, 32.1 vs. 50.5 months; P=0.097) compared with the STD group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, while ANH was not as harmful as ABT, it exhibited potentially more negative effects on long-term postoperative outcomes in PDAC than STD.

Infusion management associated with prolonged length of stay following free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects: A propensity score matching study

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of the primary lesion and reconstruction of the defects with free flaps are common treatments for head and neck cancer (HNC). However, various variables can lead to prolonged length of stay (LOS). The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors correlated with prolonged LOS following free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects.

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients with all types of free flaps reconstruction of HNC between January 2011 and January 2019 at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital was performed. We recorded predictive variables and divided them into: personal and clinical, hemodynamic, anesthetic and surgical. The primary endpoint was prolonged length of stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify risk factors that associated with prolonged LOS. Propensity score matching was performed with the identified risk variables and other perioperative factors that may impact transfusion decision to explore the independent influence of intraoperative blood transfusion on prolonged LOS.

RESULTS

A total of 1047 patients were included in this study. The median LOS was 13.00 (11.00, 16.00) days. Multivariate analysis suggested that blood transfusion, duration of surgery, postoperative complications and unplanned reoperation were associated with prolonged LOS. After propensity score matching, unnecessary blood transfusion and inadequate fluid rate over 24 h, postoperative complications and unplanned reoperation were identified risk factors that led to prolonged LOS.

CONCLUSION

Unnecessary blood transfusion and inadequate fluid infusion rate over 24 h were independent risk factors associated with prolonged LOS in HNC patients who underwent free flap reconstruction. Our results indicated consideration of restrictive blood transfusion and adequate fluid infusion over postoperative 24 h in these patients.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution reduced the frequency and amount of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery: a retrospective observational study

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) can reduce the frequency and amount of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) (intraoperative ABT and postoperative ABT until discharge from the hospital) in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery.

METHODS

This single-center, retrospective, observational study included the perioperative data of 147 patients who were 18 years old or younger and underwent scoliosis surgery. Patients were divided into groups according to whether they received ANH: i.e., an ANH group and control group. Propensity-score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether ANH can reduce the frequency of perioperative ABT.

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients were analyzed, 95 and 30 in the ANH and control group, respectively. The intraoperative/postoperative ABT frequency was significantly lower in the ANH group than in the control group (17.9% vs. 36.7%, p = 0.044). The amount of ABT [median (IQR): 0 (0, 0) mL/kg vs. 0 (0, 16.3) mL/kg, p = 0.033] was also significantly lower in the ANH group than in the control group. Propensity-score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that ANH use [odds ratio: 0.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.77; p = 0.023)] was associated with a lower risk of ABT after adjusting for intraoperative blood loss and duration of surgery.

CONCLUSION

ANH use can reduce the frequency and amount of perioperative ABT in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery.

Does Autologous Transfusion Decrease Allogeneic Transfusion in Liposuction Surgery of Lymphedema Patients?

Background and Objective

Liposuction is an effective treatment for fat disposition in lymphedema. Blood transfusion has been seldom investigated in lymphedema liposuction surgery. The purpose of the study was to analyze clinical factors associated with blood transfusion in liposuction surgery of lymphedema patients and compare the autologous and allogeneic transfusion patterns.

Methods

A total of 1,187 cases of liposuction due to lymphedema were recruited. Demographic, laboratory tests and operation information were collected. Patients were divided into a transfusion and a non-transfusion group. Different transfusion patterns were compared and analyzed.

Results

Between the two groups, there is a significant difference in postoperative hemoglobin levels, and as well as gender, age, surgery duration, body weight change, intraoperative transfusion volume and blood loss, hospital length of stay, and surgical site distribution. There is a significant difference in the comparison of hospital stay length, autologous transfusion volume, combined allogeneic volume, operative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion volume, and change in hemoglobin levels between predonation and acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) transfusion. In comparison with the allogeneic transfusion-only patients, the mean allogeneic transfusion volume in either ANH group, predonated transfusion group, or mixed group is statistically lower. Allogeneic transfusion volume in the predonated-only group is significantly lower than that of either the ANH-only group or the mixing ANH with predonation group. Ordinary least squares regression analysis suggests that autologous transfusion in the ANH-only mode is statistically associated with allogeneic transfusion.

Conclusions

This study described the blood transfusion in lymphedema liposuction surgery and compared autologous and allogeneic transfusion patterns in these patients. Autologous transfusion can reduce the transfusion volume of allogeneic blood and might be a beneficial mode of transfusion in these patients.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution in combination with tranexamic acid is an effective strategy for blood management in lumbar spinal fusion surgery

Background

The retrospective study was designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), tranexamic Acid (TXA), and a combination of ANH and TXA in lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Methods

Data of 120 patients underwent multi-level posterior spinal fusion for treating degenerative lumbar disease between June 2013 and December 2017 was collected, retrospectively. Four treatment strategies were enrolled, including ANH, TXA, a combination of ANH and TXA, and without any patient blood management. Intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin and PCV at the end of surgery and at the postoperative first day, and postoperative drain collection, and intraoperative and postoperative transfusion and rate of transfusion were also collected.

Results

Intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drain collection of the TXA group, ANH combined with TXA group were statistically lower than those in the control group and ANH group (P < 0.05). Intraoperative and postoperative transfusion amount and rate of intra-operative allogenic transfusion of the ANH group, TXA group, and ANH combined with TXA group were statistically lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin and PCV at postoperative the first day in the ANH group, TXA group, and ANH combined with TXA group were significant higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The combination of TXA and ANH group achieved the lowest intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drain collection and allogenic transfusion rate.

Conclusion

A combination of TXA and ANH might be an effective strategy for reducing the rate of transfusion and blood loss in patients underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Intraoperative Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion Negatively Influences Prognosis After Radical Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the real impact of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion (ABT) on postoperative outcomes in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

METHODS

Of 128 patients undergoing resectable PDAC surgery at our facility, 24 (18.8%) received ABT. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS), before and after propensity score matching (PSM), were compared among patients who did and did not receive ABT.

RESULTS

In the entire cohort, ABT was significantly associated with decreased RFS (P = 0.002) and DSS (P = 0.014) before PSM. Cox regression analysis identified ABT (risk ratio, 1.884; 95% confidence interval, 1.015-3.497; P = 0.045) as an independent prognostic factor for RFS. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified preoperative hemoglobin value, preoperative total bilirubin value, and intraoperative blood loss as significant independent risk factors for ABT. Using these 3 variables, PSM analysis created 16 pairs of patients. After PSM, the ABT group had significantly poorer RFS rates than the non-ABT group (median, 9.8 vs 15.8 months, P = 0.022). Similar tendencies were found in DSS rates (median, 19.4 vs 40.0 months, P = 0.071).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed certain negative effects of intraoperative ABT on postoperative survival outcomes in patients with resectable PDAC.

Intra-operative intravascular effect of the difference in colloid solutions during acute normovolemic hemodilution

Background

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is used to reduce the risk of peri-operative allogeneic blood transfusion. Although crystalloid and/or colloid solutions have been used for volume replacement during ANH, no studies have examined the differences among solutions on the volume status, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and hemodynamic status during surgery with ANH.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the effect of Ringer’s lactate with 3% dextran-40 (Saviosol®, DEX group) and 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% sodium chloride (Voluven®, HES group) on blood hemoglobin serum electrolytes and estimated blood volume before induction of anesthesia (baseline), after ANH and after blood transfusion following surgery in patients undergoing open gynecological surgery (n = 111 and 67, respectively). The primary outcomes were the changes in hemoglobin and electrolytes after ANH.

Results

There were no differences in hemoglobin or electrolytes between the two groups at baseline. Postoperative hemoglobin was significantly higher (11.0 ± 1.5 g/dL vs 9.9 ± 1.3 g/dL) (mean ± SD) in the DEX group than in the HES group (p = 0.03). Postoperative potassium was significantly decreased from the baseline both in the DEX group (137.9 ± 2.5 mmol/L vs 136.3 ± 2.7 mmol/L) and in the HES group (138.3 ± 2.0 mmol/L vs 137.8 ± 2.5 mmol/L) (p < 0.001 for both); however, it was significantly higher than in the DEX group after surgery (p < 0.001). Estimated blood volume after surgery was significantly increased after ANH in both groups; however, it was larger in the HES group than in the DEX group.

Conclusions

Postoperative hemoglobin and potassium were significantly higher, and estimated blood volume was significantly smaller in the DEX than in the HES group.

Clotting functional stability of withdrawing blood in storage for acute normovolemic hemodilution: a pilot study

Purpose

This study was conducted to time-course changes of clotting function of withdrawing blood for acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH).

Methods

Twelve enrolled patients who underwent ANH from August, 2018 to January, 2019. Blood was withdrawn into blood collection pack and shaken at 60–80 rpm for 24 h in room temperature. Clot formation was evaluated using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM™) just after blood withdrawal (control) and 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after blood withdrawal. We compared with the control value and each value of extrinsically-activated test with tissue factor (EXTEM), intrinsically-activated test using ellagic acid (INTEM) and fibrin-based extrinsically activated test with tissue factor (FIBTEM).

Results

Maximum clot firmness (MCF) of FIBTEM did not change significantly. MCF of EXTEM was significantly decreased time-dependent manner but all MCF of EXTEM were within a normal range. Maximum percent change in MCF of EXTEM was 12.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.0–15.8%]. The difference in the maximum clot elasticity (MCE) between EXTEM and FIBTEM (MCE_EXTEM−MCE_FIBTEM) was significantly decrease from 8 h after blood withdrawal. Maximum percent change in MCE_EXTEM−MCE_FIBTEM was 30.2% (95% CI:17.6–42.9%) at 24 h after blood withdrawal.

Conclusion

Even though the MCE significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner, MCF of FIBTEM and EXTEM was normal up to 24 h storage. The blood of ANH can use for the purpose of hemostasis at least 8 h stored at room temperature after blood withdrawal. Future studies are needed to elucidate the clinical impact on the patient after delayed transfusion of ANH blood with regard to patient’s hemostasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00540-020-02856-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.