Routine cross-matching is not necessary for a transurethral resection of the prostate.
Two hundred and fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy were studied prospectively to test a policy of not routinely cross-matching blood. Blood was ordered only for patients with anaemia, a major medical risk factor, a prostate gland estimated to be greater than 60 g, or the presence of red cell alloantibodies. Of the 203 patients who were "grouped and saved" only, 30 (12%) were subsequently cross-matched and 22 (8.5%) transfused. There were no significant problems as a result of the operation of this policy. The value of these pre-operative criteria for cross-matching was confirmed, apart from the clinical estimation of prostatic size. The use of such a policy could be of significant value to the hospital blood transfusion services.
D000368:Aged; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007518:Isoantibodies