Abstract
The effect of perioperative blood transfusion on recurrence of Crohn's disease was investigated retrospectively in 60 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent small-bowel resection. 28 patients received 1-8 units of blood; the others were not transfused. Both groups were similar in age, duration of Crohn's disease, and preoperative serum albumin, but preoperative haemoglobin, length of intestine resected, and location of small-bowel involvement were different. The patients who received perioperative blood transfusion had a significantly lower recurrence rate by life-table analysis, although the site and greater length of bowel involvement in the transfused patients would normally indicate an increased likelihood of recurrence. 5 years after bowel resection, the cumulative recurrence rate in transfused patients was 19%, compared with 59% in controls. The immunosuppressive effect of blood transfusion may modify the progression of Crohn's disease.
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