Implementation of a patient blood management programme in pediatric scoliosis surgery

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine whether the implementation of a blood conservation programme, and the adoption and progressive association of different methods, reduces transfusion requirements in paediatric patients undergoing scoliosis surgery of different origins. Material and methodQuasi-experimental, nonrandomized, descriptive study, approved by the Ethics Committee for Research of our institution. 50 paediatric patients (ASA I-III) aged 5–18 years, undergoing scoliosis surgery of any aetiology by a single posterior or double approach (anterior and posterior) were included. A historical group with no alternatives to transfusion: Group No ahorro=15 patients (retrospective data collection) was compared with another 3 prospective study groups: Group HNA (acute normovolemic hemodilution)=9 patients; Group HNA+Rec (intraoperative blood salvage)=14 patients, and Group EPO (HNA+Rec+erythropoietin±preoperative donation)=12 patients; according with the implementation schedule of the transfusion alternatives in our institution. ResultsThe rate of transfusion in different groups (No ahorro, HNA, HNA+Rec, EPO) was 100, 66, 57, and 0% of the patients, respectively, with a mean±SD of 3.40±1.59; 1.33±1.41; 1.43±1.50; 0±0 RBC units transfused per patient, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p<.001) were found in both the transfusion rate and number of RBC units. ConclusionsThe application of a multimodal blood transfusion alternatives programme, individualised for each paediatric patient undergoing scoliosis surgery can avoid transfusion in all cases.