Perioperative blood transfusion and albumin administration are independent risk factors for the development of postoperative infections after colorectal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether transfused colorectal surgery patients were at increased risk for postoperative infections in a tertiary care teaching hospital and whether transfusion alone was the only significant risk factor.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
A single tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
All patients admitted to St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, for colorectal surgery during the period Apr. 1, 1995, through Mar. 31, 1996, were studied (N = 154).


RESULTS
The overall infection rate was 17%: nontransfused patients, 13%, and transfused patients, 28% (p < 0.038). Patients who received albumin perioperatively had a significantly higher infection rate (38%) than those who did not (13%) (p < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified transfusion and albumin administration as the only independent risk factors for postoperative infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative transfusion or albumin administration significantly increases the risk of postoperative infection in colorectal surgery patients.
Torchia
M G
MG
Department of Surgery, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Man. Mark_Torchia@sbrc.umanitoba.ca
Danzinger
R G
RG
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000295:instrumentation; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D012709:Serum Albumin