767 Group & Save- Are They Required for Laparoscopic Appendicectomies?

Abstract

Abstract Aim Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) is the gold standard surgical management of appendicitis. Serious intraoperative complications, including bleeding, are rare, however in the absence of a local established guideline, it is standard practice to send two group and save (G&S) samples prior to theatre. We aimed to review our post-operative transfusion risk for LA and to establish if routine group and save testing is required as part of the preoperative workup. Method All patients who underwent a laparoscopic appendicectomy in a single centre were reviewed over a 3-month period (April- June 2020). Data was retrieved from an institutional database and up to date electronic records were reviewed for operative details and transfusion history. Results Forty-three appendicectomies performed during audit window, twenty-one of which were laparoscopic. 100% of cases had a single group and save recorded pre-operatively, with 76.2% having a second sample sent, totalling 37 samples. Zero patients in the cohort required a post-operative transfusion. Average cost of a group and save equals £26, a total cost of £962 over a 3-month period. Conclusion Whilst a small study, we have illustrated LA to be a safe procedure with zero incidence of blood transfusion. There are clear benefits of producing a local guideline that G&S are not routinely required for LA, including financial and resource savings, potential reduction in theatre delays, and reduction of workload for staff.