title: Effect of perioperative transfusion of old red blood cells on postoperative complications after free muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap surgery for breast reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transfusion with old red blood cells (RBCs) was associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The effect of perioperative transfusion of old RBCs on postoperative complications after free muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery was retrospectively investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred sixty-one patients undergoing breast reconstruction were assigned to two groups: no transfusion and transfusion groups. Transfused patients were further divided according to the RBC storage duration (fresh, ≤14 days; old, >14 days). Postoperative complications such as vascular thrombosis, hematoma, and flap congestion were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who received old blood (n = 34), compared with those received fresh blood (n = 40) or no transfusion (n = 187), had a higher incidence of postoperative complications (44.1% vs. 20.0% or 12.8%, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perioperative transfusion of old RBCs can be associated with an increase in postoperative complications after free muscle sparing TRAM flap surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ung-Sik
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Young-Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Jung-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hee-Pyoung
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000637:transplantation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors