Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 There are not any exact preoperative criteria to distinguish patients who need transfusion for their blood loss to be replaced. Most of reserved blood supplies remain unused after surgery. The aim of this study was to estimate the transfusion volume during elective abdominal surgery and try to reduce unnecessary storage of blood before surgeries.

 Materials and Methods

 This prospective observational study was done over 6 months in Baqiatallah Hospital to evaluate the use of blood transfusion during elective abdominal surgeries. We estimated preoperatively available cross-matched blood then, intraoperative use of blood during elective abdominal surgery was assessed.

 Results

 Out of 400 patients who underwent elective abdominal surgery, 134 (33.5%) required blood transfusion during surgery. In fact, out of 832 units of reserved blood only 212 (25.4%) were administered and the rest 620 units remained unused. Cross-match/transfusion ratio was 1.63. Preoperative hemoglobin level and surgery duration were both associated predictor variables.

 Conclusions

 It is recommended that blood order be restricted in case of most common elective abdominal surgeries. Use of blood refrigerator in surgery wards can save unused blood after surgery.

 Key words: Surgery, Blood Transfusion, Blood Grouping and Crossmatching