Randomized clinical trial of preoperative intravenous iron sucrose to reduce blood transfusion in anaemic patients after colorectal cancer surgery.
BACKGROUND
The transfusion rate following colorectal cancer resection is between 10 and 30 per cent. Receipt of allogeneic blood is not without risk or cost. A preoperative adjunct that reduced the need for transfusion would mitigate these risks. This study was designed to determine whether iron sucrose reduces the likelihood of postoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection.


METHODS
In this randomized prospective blinded placebo-controlled trial of patients undergoing resectional surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of colorectal cancer, 600 mg iron sucrose or placebo was given intravenously in two divided doses, at least 24 h apart, 14 days before surgery. The primary outcome measures were serum haemoglobin concentration, recorded at recruitment, immediately before surgery and at discharge, and perioperative blood transfusions.


RESULTS
No difference was demonstrated between treatment groups (iron sucrose, 34 patients; placebo, 26) for any of the primary outcome measures, for either the whole study population or a subgroup of anaemic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study provided no support for the use of intravenous iron sucrose as a preoperative adjunct to increase preoperative haemoglobin levels and thereby reduce the likelihood of allogeneic blood transfusion for patients undergoing resectional surgery for colorectal cancer.


BACKGROUND
2005-003608-13UK (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
Edwards
T J
TJ
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
Noble
E J
EJ
Durran
A
A
Mellor
N
N
Hosie
K B
KB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005937:Glucaric Acid; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid