The effect of neuraxial blocks on surgical blood loss and blood transfusion requirements: a meta-analysis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neuraxial blocks on surgical blood losses and on the number of patients requiring blood transfusion.

METHODS:

A search of the American National Library of Medicine's PubMed up to November 12, 2004, was performed. Twenty-four studies could be kept for analysis.

RESULTS:

Regional anesthesia reduced the number of transfused patients for total hip replacement (P = 0.0009) and spinal fusion (P = 0.04). A reduction of measured blood loss that did not lead to a reduction in the number of transfused patients was also found for fractured hip surgery (P < 0.0001), lumbar disk surgery (P = 0.01), peripheral vascular surgery (P = 0.03), retropubic prostatectomy (P = 0.02), cesarean section (P < 0.0001), and bowel surgery (P = 0.0008). In summary neuraxial blocks have a clear and definite effect on surgical blood loss, but this effect do not usually lead to a reduction in the number of transfused patients except for patients undergoing total hip replacement and spinal fusion.

• Authors: Joanne Guay
• Journal: Journal of clinical anesthesia (J Clin Anesth) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 124-8 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0952-8180 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16563330 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis)

Topics

• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip (adverse effects)
• Blood Loss, Surgical (prevention & control, statistics & numerical data)
• Blood Transfusion
• Humans
• Intraoperative Complications (epidemiology)
• Nerve Block
• Spinal Fusion (adverse effects)