title: Utility of postoperative laboratory studies after female pelvic reconstructive surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the frequency of laboratory studies after female pelvic reconstructive surgery and the rate of intervention based on the results of these laboratory values at a single institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of all patients undergoing female pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse by 5 fellowship-trained pelvic reconstructive surgeons at a single institution from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010. Exclusion criteria were outpatient procedures, isolated hysterectomy, and a combined surgery with another surgical team performing a separate procedure. Interventions based on the number of laboratory studies were classified as minor (electrolyte repletion, repeat laboratory tests, initiation of antibiotics) or major (transfusion, delayed discharge).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 356 patients were included in the final dataset and 100% of patients had routine postoperative laboratory studies. A total of 8771 laboratory values were obtained with a mean of 25 ± 18 laboratory values (0-133) per patient. One-third of postoperative patients (n = 120) underwent a total of 207 interventions based on abnormal laboratory results. The majority of interventions were minor (96%). Of the 120 patients who had a minor intervention, electrolyte repletion was the most common (78%), followed by repeat blood collection (40%) and initiation of antibiotics (4%). The major intervention rate was 4% (n = 8) and all underwent transfusion. Of the 8 transfused patients, 7 demonstrated clinical instability before transfusion and 1 was transfused based on laboratory values and a significant cardiac history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine postoperative laboratory studies are not necessary for all patients after female pelvic reconstructive surgery and more judicious use based on clinical findings may limit unnecessary minor interventions.
authors.affiliation: Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: alana.m.murphy.md@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tunitsky-Bitton
authors.forename: Ryan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Krlin
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Howard B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000601:surgery*; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: pelvic reconstructive surgery; postoperative care pathways; postoperative laboratory studies