Intraoperative blood loss and prognosis in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess more thoroughly the prognostic significance of perioperative transfusions, we examined a previously ignored factor, namely intraoperative blood loss.


METHODS
Univariate and multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed on results of a 10-year series of 251 consecutive men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically localized carcinoma.


RESULTS
Gleason score, operative blood loss and pathological stage were significantly (p < 0.0001) associated with progression-free survival. A risk ratio of 1.08 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.10) was demonstrated for every 100 ml. of operative blood loss.


CONCLUSIONS
The operative blood loss but not the type (autologous or allogeneic) of blood transfused was significantly related to decreased recurrence-free survival after radical retropubic prostatectomy. This finding implies that the operative events necessitating transfusion are potentially more significant than the immunological effects of the transfusion.
Oefelein
M G
MG
Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Colangelo
L A
LA
Rademaker
A W
AW
McVary
K T
KT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate