Assessment of perioperative transfusion therapy and complications in sickle cell disease patients undergoing surgery.
BACKGROUND
Perioperative blood transfusion is usually given to sickle cell disease patients to reduce or prevent perioperative morbidity. Assessment of such a practice was the subject of our study.


METHODS
A retrospective one year survey of sickle cell disease patients undergoing surgery at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain was conducted. The medical records were reviewed to characterize the surgical procedure, transfusion management and perioperative complications.


RESULTS
85 sickle cell disease patients who underwent surgery were studied. Preoperatively, 21.2% had exchange transfusion (ETX), 24.7% had simple transfusions (STX) and 54.1% had no transfusion (NTX). 14.1% of all patients had postoperative complications, and 50% of those, had complications from the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. The incidence of sickle cell crisis postoperatively was 22.2% in ETX group, 9.5% in STX group and 4.34% in the NTX group. The incidence of acute chest syndrome postoperatively was found to be 5.55% in the ETX group, 4.76% in the STX group and 4.34% in the NTX group. No intraoperative complications were recorded in all groups. All patients who had postoperative complications had a preoperative HBSS > 40%.


CONCLUSIONS
Exchange transfusion does not prevent perioperative complications of sickle cell disease patients. HBSS > 40% carries a higher risk of postoperative complications.
Al-Samak
Zahra M
ZM
College of Medicine and Medical Science, AGU, Bahrain.
Al-Falaki
Mohamed M
MM
Pasha
Akila A
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins