Hemodynamic Analysis in Patients Who Underwent Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery without Blood Transfusion

Abstract

Purpose: Lumbar fusion surgery was performed on transfusion-free patients and hemodynamic changes were analyzed. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 transfusion-free patients who had undergone lumbar fusion surgery using recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) before surgery from April 2007 to March 2014 were included in the study. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured before surgery, immediately after surgery, 12 hours after surgery, on day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. Changes in levels were investigated and the factors affecting the changes in hemoglobin levels were analyzed. Results: Changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit were -18.11% before surgery and -22.92% on day 7, respectively, and they tended to recover from day 2 after surgery. Depending on the patient’s age, gender, body mass index, blood loss, and surgery method (presence of lumbar interbody fusion), the changes in hemoglobin level did not show statistically significant differences; however, significant differences were observed in the surgical time and extent of the operation. Conclusion: Transfusion alternatives during lumbar spinal fusion are deemed safe methods, leading to good, postoperative hemodynamic outcomes. However, the surgical time and extent of the operation must be determined before surgery.