title: [Blood transfusion increases the risk of surgical infection].
abstract: In a prospective randomized trial the frequency of infectious complications and natural killer cell function were investigated in 197 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery and having either no blood transfusion (n = 93), transfusion with whole blood (n = 56), or filtered blood free from leucocytes (n = 48). Postoperative infections developed in 13 patients transfused with whole blood (23%), in one patient transfused with blood free from leucocytes (2%) and in two non-transfused patients (2%) (p < 0.01). Natural killer cell function was significantly (p < 0.001) impaired up to 30 days after surgery in patients transfused with whole blood. These data provide a strong case against the use of whole blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Arhus Amtssygehus, kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling L og haematologisk afdeling.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hokland
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Juhl
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Møller-Nielsen
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hokland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
vernacular_title: Blodtransfusion øger den kirurgiske infektionsrisiko.