Intravenous iron in post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia: a pragmatic approach

Abstract

There is a paucity of data addressing the use of different iron preparations for the treatment of patients with anaemia in the postoperative period after bariatric surgery and abdominoplasty. This cohort of patients is deemed at higher risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia and associated complications. Iron deficiency is common in these patients because of several factors, including lack of iron intake, reduction in gastric acid secretion, and impaired iron absorption of the duodenal and jejunal segments as a consequence of bariatric surgery. In The Lancet Haematology Juan Carlos Montano-Pedroso and colleagues 1 Montano-Pedroso JC Bueno Garcia E Alcântara Rodrigues de Moraes M Francescato Veiga D Masako Ferreira L. Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron administration for the postoperative treatment of post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia: an open-label, randomised, superiority trial in Brazil. Lancet Haematol. 2018; 5: e310-e320 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar report the results of a randomised controlled trial that assessed the effect of oral iron polymaltose versus intravenous iron sucrose in patients with anaemia after bariatric and abdominoplasty surgery. Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron administration for the postoperative treatment of post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia: an open-label, randomised, superiority trial in BrazilPostoperative intravenous administration of iron increased haemoglobin concentrations at 56 days post-operatively and reduced iron deficiency, without adverse events. Although superiority of intravenous iron was not shown, intravenous administration might be useful in post-bariatric patients, especially in those who have body-contouring treatment involving a second surgery within a short period of time. Larger trials, and trials using higher intravenous doses of iron, are needed to further assess the potential efficacy and safety of intravenous iron administration after post-bariatric plastic surgery. Full-Text PDF