Preoperative Hemoglobin Values Research Articles

Evaluation of Blood Loss and Implant Alignment after Total Knee Arthroplasty with Inertial Based Extramedullary Femoral Cutting Guide.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare, in terms of blood loss and implant alignment, a new generation of smart extramedullary (EM) cutting guides with the conventional intramedullary (IM) guide for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that the EM system would result in less blood loss and fewer days of hospitalization, while ensuring equal or higher accuracy in the alignment of the femoral implant. Methods Thirty-six patients were enrolled for the present study: 18 patients underwent TKA using the EM guide and for the other 18 patients the IM guide was used. Preoperative and postoperative X-rays were acquired. The preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin values were compared. Lastly, length of hospital stay was recorded. Results The hemoglobin difference was significantly lower in the EM group. The alignment of the prosthetic femoral implant in the two groups was comparable but all patients in the EM cohort had a final alignment within 3 degrees of range on the frontal view, while 22% of the patients in the IM cohort had a final alignment exceeding 3 degrees of range. The mean hospitalization duration showed no significant difference between groups, though EM group showed 1.6 days less compared with IM group. Conclusions The inertial-based EM guide system could be useful for decreasing blood loss compared with conventional guide. This device tended to have better results even in terms of accuracy, but this difference was not significant. Level of Evidence This is a level II, prospective cohort study.

What Is the Influence of a Delay to Surgery >24 Hours on the Rate of Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Elderly Patients With Intertrochanteric or Subtrochanteric Hip Fractures Treated With Cephalomedullary Nails?

To evaluate the influence of delay to surgery >24 hours on the rate of red blood cell transfusion in a selected population of hip fracture patients. Cohort study. Tertiary care university hospital. A consecutive series of 987 patients (714 females) with a mean age of 86.3 (range 50-106) years operated with an intramedullary nail due to an unstable intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric hip fracture. Patients operated with an intramedullary nail due to an unstable intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric hip fracture. Red blood cell transfusion rate, mortality, and postoperative length of stay were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for anticoagulants, acetylsalicylic acid class, fracture type, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) value, and time to surgery. Follow-up time was 1 year. There was an increased preoperative transfusion rate among patients delayed for more than 24 hours to surgery (22%), compared with those operated within 24 hours (6.1%) (P < 0.001). After adjusting for anticoagulants, acetylsalicylic acid class, fracture type, preoperative Hb value, and time to surgery, it was found that anticoagulants [relative risk (RR), 2.0; confidence interval (CI), 1.1-3.5] and surgery delayed for more than 24 hours (RR, 3.9; CI, 2.3-6.1) were significantly associated with an increased rate of preoperative transfusions, although an increasing preoperative Hb value was associated with a lower rate of transfusions (RR, 0.3; CI, 0.2-0.4). We found an increased rate of preoperative transfusions among patients with unstable intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric hip fractures operated with an intramedullary nail that were delayed for surgery more than 24 hours. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle—Predictor of Blood Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery

To determine whether bioelectrical impedance-derived phase angle (PA) can be a predictor of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. An observational retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Single center, tertiary referral university hospital. The study sample comprised 642 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Patient demographic and clinical variables were collected. The body composition of the patients was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) the day prior to surgery. The rates of postoperative RBC transfusion were recorded. Among the 642 patients (67.8% men, median age of 66 [range 59-73]) included in the present study, 210 (32.7%) received at least 1 RBC unit postoperatively. Hypertension, preoperative stroke, renal failure, preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, BIA-derived PA, aortic crossclamp time, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were associated with the risk of RBC transfusion in the univariate analysis, and were included in the final multivariate regression model. Preoperative stroke (odds ratio [OR] 0.394; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.183-0.848; p = 0.017), preoperative hemoglobin values (OR 0.943; 95% CI: 0.928-0.960; p < 0.001), PA <15th percentile (OR 2.326; 95% CI: 1.351-4.000; p = 0.002), and CPB time (OR 1.013; 95% CI: 1.008-1.018; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of RBC transfusion. Several factors were identified to be associated significantly with postoperative RBC transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Among the conventional predictors, the value of the BIA-derived PA was indicated as a potent prognostic tool.

PMS12 - The Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin Values and Hospitalization Outcomes Following Elective Primary Total Joint Replacement

PMS12 - The Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin Values and Hospitalization Outcomes Following Elective Primary Total Joint Replacement

Prognostic factors and predictive model for in-hospital mortality following hip fractures in the elderly

PurposeThe incidence of hip fractures is increasing within the aging population. Our objective was to identify and quantify the risk factors and develop a predictive model for the in-hospital mortality among hip fracture patients older than 65 years. MethodsThis is a prospective study conducted on 331 hip fracture patients older than 65 years admitted to our hospital from 2011 to 2014. Patients' demographics, prehospitalization residential status, prefracture comorbidity data, anti-aggregant and anticoagulant medication, preoperative hemoglobin value, type of fractures, type of treatments, time to surgery, and complications were recorded. ResultsThe average age was 83 years, 73% female, and 57% of them sustained a femoral neck fracture. In 62.8% of patients, the number of pre-fracture baseline comorbidities was ≥2. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.4%. In multivariate analysis, age over 90 years, congestive heart failure, asthma, rheumatologic disease, lung cancer, and not taking antiaggregant medication were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. A formula and risk stratification scoring for predicting the risk for in-hospital mortality was developed. Risk-adjustment model based on these variables had acceptable accuracy for predicting in-hospital mortality (c-statistic 0.77). ConclusionAdvanced age, and five prefracture comorbidities have a strong association with in-hospital mortality in a hip fracture patient older than 65 years old. Our predictive model was specifically designed for the old hip fracture population. It has an accuracy similar to other risk models. The specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value are high. In addition, it could discriminate a high risk patient from a low risk patient for in-hospital mortality.

Non-operative Risk Factors and the Implications of Sandostatin for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Malignant Pancreatic Surgery

Pancreatic fistula is the most frecquent and severe postoperative complication after pancreatic surgery, with impressive implications for the quality of life and vital prognosis of the patient and for these reasons it is essential to identify risk factors. In the current study, who included 109 patient admitted to a single university center and who underwent pancreatic resection for malignant pathology, we assessed the following factors as risk factors: age, sex, preoperative hemoglobin value, preoperative total protein value, obesity and postoperative administration of sandostatin. Of the analyzed factors, it appears that only obesity and long-term administration of sandostatin influences the occurrence of pancreatic fistula.

Role of intravenous tranexamic acid on cesarean blood loss: A prospective randomized study

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal mortality globally. Tranexamic acid, an anti‑fibrinolytic agent, is a novel approach to prevent this dreadful complication. This study aims to document the efficacy of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during and after cesarean section (CS).Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized, placebo‑controlled, open‑label study, 100 mothers scheduled for elective CS were randomly selected and divided into two groups (study and control) of 50 each. The study group received 1 g IV tranexamic acid and the control group received IV placebo. Following delivery, all mothers received 10 units of oxytocin in 500 mL of normal saline.Results: The mean intraoperative and postpartum blood loss were significantly lower in the study group than the control group: 499.11 ± 111.2 ml and 59.93 ± 12.5 ml versus 690.85 ± 198.41 ml and 110.06 ± 13.47ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Total blood loss was 30% less in the study group (P < 0.001). Six mothers had PPH in the control group while none in the study group had PPH. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin values was significantly less in the study group than the control group, 0.26 ± 0.22 g% versus 0.99 ± 0.48 g% (P < 0.001).There was no significant difference with respect to other hematologic parameters. There was no added adverse effect or need for NICU admission in the study group.Conclusion: Preoperative IV tranexamic acid significantly reduced blood loss during elective CS without any significant adverse effects.Keywords: Anti‑fibrinolytics; blood‑loss; cesarean delivery; postpartum hemorrhage; Tranexamic acid

The Utility of Routinely Obtaining Postoperative Laboratory Studies Following a Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

This is a retrospective analysis. To test the hypothesis that there is limited utility in routinely obtaining postoperative laboratory values following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). At many institutions, it is routine to obtain a complete blood count and basic metabolic profile (BMP) following a MIS TLIF. However, the utility of this practice has not been well characterized. A total of 332 consecutive patients who underwent a primary, 1-level MIS TLIF for degenerative spinal pathology between 2007 and 2013 were identified. Patients were stratified into low-risk and high-risk cohorts based upon risk for postoperative laboratory abnormalities. Inclusion criteria for the high-risk cohort were malignancy, complicated diabetes, renal failure, liver disease, hematologic disease, or significant intraoperative blood loss (>300 mL). Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and BMP values were compared. Any interventions that were potentially related to laboratory values were identified. Totals of 270 low-risk and 62 high-risk patients were identified. Mean postoperative Hb, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, and calcium values were decreased compared with preoperative values (P<0.001 for each) in both cohorts. Similar changes from preoperative levels were demonstrated in each cohort. No patients received blood product transfusion. Eleven low-risk (4.1%) and 5 high-risk patients (8.1%) received oral potassium supplementation. All patients who received potassium supplementation were asymptomatic. Most patients who were given potassium replacement consumed medications known to decrease serum potassium levels. No other interventions were performed in either group. Despite a significant decrease in mean Hb concentration following surgery, no patients required a transfusion. In total, 16 patients received potassium supplementation likely related to medication-related potassium deficits. Overall, these findings suggest that the utility of routinely obtaining a complete blood count or BMP following uncomplicated MIS TLIF may be limited except in the setting of select preoperative comorbidities and/or perioperative risk factors or events. Level III.

Relation with postpartum maternal morbidity of different types of anesthesia in preeclamptic patients

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different anesthesia types administered to patients with preeclampsia on postoperative maternal morbidities.Methods: Medical records of pregnant women complicated with preeclampsia delivered by cesarean from January 2010 to December 2016 in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed.Results: There was not a statistically significant difference between patients receiving spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia in terms of additional parenteral analgesic requirement at postoperative period (p = 0.520). The length of stay in hospital and δHb (preoperative hemoglobin value minus postoperative hemoglobin value) were not different between spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia groups (p = 0.140 and 0.648, respectively). The rate of postoperative antihypertensive medication requirement was statistically significant in patients with severe preeclampsia who underwent general anesthesia (p = 0.009, x2 = 6.867, odds ratios = 4.276 (1.531–11.942)). The time passing to reach the first normal blood pressure level in patients with severe preeclampsia was 11.95 ± 9.11 h in patients with spinal anesthesia, 10.55 ± 4.95 h in patients with general anesthesia, and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.504).Conclusion: The need for antihypertensive medication is greater in patients with severe preeclampsia receiving general anesthesia. There is a need for comprehensive, prospective, and randomized controlled trials to establish the relationship between postpartum morbidity and the different types of anesthesia.

Kraniosinostoz cerrahisinde kan transfüzyonu ve arteriel kan gazı değerleri arasındaki ilişki: Yirmi üç vakalık Retrospektif bir çalışma

Objective: Craniosynostosis surgery in infants may require increased blood transfusions, leading to arterial blood gas variations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relation between blood transfusion and arterial blood gas changes in infants during craniosynostosis surgery. Material and Methods: Data of all children, who were operated in our neurosurgery clinic during a five-year period were screened retrospectively. Demographics, arterial blood gas sample results, transfusion requirements in children who underwent craniosynostosis surgery were recorded. Results: The mean age of 23 cases was 19.00±16.26 months, 73.9% of the patients underwent single/multiple suture correction, and the mean duration of operation was 154.13±17.49 minutes. The mean transfused materials were 152.63±61.18 mL erythrocyte suspension and 125.00±57.74 mL fresh frozen plasma. At the end of the surgery, HCO3 was higher, base deficit was decreased and ionized calcium was higher compared to beginning and perioperative values. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin values (10.20±1.06 / 9.91±2.42) showed no difference (p=0.583). Conclusions: Our data from this retrospective study has confirmed, that in children undergoing craniosynostosis surgery, perioperative and postoperative stable condition is related to adequate blood replacement compatible with arterial blood gas changes.

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality following hip fracture

ObjectiveTo identify and quantify the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients older than 65 years with a hip fracture. Materials and methodsRetrospective review of prospectively collected data. We studied a cohort of 331 hip fracture patients older than 65 years of age admitted to our hospital from 2011 to 2014. Patients demographics, type of residence, physical function, mobility, prefracture comorbidities data, cognitive status, anti-aggregant and anticoagulant medication, preoperative haemoglobin value, type of fracture, type of treatment, surgical delay, and complications, were recorded. ResultsThe average age was 83, 73% female, and 57% had sustained a subcapital fracture. In 62.8% pre-fracture baseline co-morbidities were equal or greater than 2. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.4%. In univariate analysis, age over 90, male gender, haemoglobin ≤10g/dl, no antiplatelet agents, orthopaedic treatment, number of co-morbidities ≥2, Charlson index ≥2, age-adjusted Charlson index ≥6, congestive heart failure, asthma, and rheumatologic disease were associated with in-hospital mortality. ConclusionsPreoperative patient-related factors have a strong relationship with in-hospital mortality in a hip fracture patients aged older than 65 years. These factors are non-modifiable; we recommend the development of protocols to reduce in-hospital mortality in this group of patients.

Risk-factors for surgical delay following hip fracture

ObjectiveTo identify pre-operative risk factors for surgical delay of more than 2 days after admission in patients older than 65 years with a hip fracture. Material and methodsA prospective observational study was conducted on 180 hip fractures in patients older than 65 years of age admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to April 2016. The data recorded included, patient demographics, day of admission, pre-fracture comorbidities, mental state, level of mobility and physical function, type of fracture, antiaggregant and anticoagulant medication, pre-operative haemoglobin value, type of treatment, and surgical delay. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 83.7 years. The mean Charlson Index was 2.8. The pre-fracture baseline co-morbidities were equal or greater than 2 in 70% of cases. Mean timing of surgery was 3.1 days. At the time of admission, 122 (67.7%) patients were fit for surgery, of which 80 (44.4%) underwent surgery within 2 days. A Charlson index greater than 2, anticoagulant therapy, and admission on Thursday to Saturday, were independently associated with a surgical delay greater than 2 days. ConclusionsThe rate of hip fracture patients undergoing surgery within 2 days is low. Risk factors associated to surgical delay are non-modifiable. However, their knowledge should allow the development of protocols that can reduce surgical delay in this group of patients.

Does intravenous tranexamic acid reduce blood loss during surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss during surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) procedure. A total of 34 patients (12 male, 22 female) who had been treated surgically under general anesthesia with SARPE including pterygoid disjunction for transverse maxillary deficiency (TMD) were included in this study. The study group (n=17) received intravenous (IV) TXA 10 mg/kg as a preoperative bolus; the control group (n=17) received normal saline solution. Preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin and haematocrit values, intraoperative blood loss, and any blood product transfusion were recorded. Blood loss during SARPE was statistically significantly less in the study group than the control group (p=0.0001). Preoperative IV administration of TXA can effectively control blood loss during when SARPE with pterygoid disjunction is performed.

Factores de riesgo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en la fractura proximal de fémur

ObjectiveTo identify and quantify the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients older than 65 years with a hip fracture. Materials and methodsRetrospective review of prospectively collected data. We studied a cohort of 331 hip fracture patients older than 65 years of age admitted to our hospital from 2011 to 2014. Patients demographics, type of residence, physical function, mobility, prefracture comorbidities data, cognitive status, anti-aggregant and anticoagulant medication, preoperative haemoglobin value, type of fracture, type of treatment, surgical delay, and complications, were recorded. ResultsThe average age was 83, 73% female, and 57% had sustained a subcapital fracture. In 62.8% pre-fracture baseline co-morbidities were equal or greater than 2. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.4%. In univariate analysis, age over 90, male gender, haemoglobin ≤ 10g/dl, no antiplatelet agents, orthopaedic treatment, number of co-morbidities≥2, Charlson index≥2, age-adjusted Charlson index≥6, congestive heart failure, asthma, rheumatologic disease, were associated with in-hospital mortality. ConclusionsPreoperative patient-related factors have a strong relationship with in-hospital mortality in a hip fracture patients aged older than 65 years. These factors are non-modifiable; we recommend the development of protocols to reduce in-hospital mortality in this group of patients.

Factores de riesgo para la demora quirúrgica en la fractura de cadera

ObjectiveTo identify pre-operative risk factors for surgical delay of more than 2 days after admission in patients older than 65 years with a hip fracture. Material and methodsA prospective observational study was conducted on 180 hip fractures in patients older than 65 years of age admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to April 2016. The data recorded included, patient demographics, day of admission, pre-fracture comorbidities, mental state, level of mobility and physical function, type of fracture, antiaggregant and anticoagulant medication, pre-operative haemoglobin value, type of treatment, and surgical delay. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 83.7 years. The mean Charlson Index was 2.8. The pre-fracture baseline co-morbidities were equal or greater than 2 in 70% of cases. Mean timing of surgery was 3.1 days. At the time of admission, 122 (67.7%) patients were fit for surgery, of which 80 (44.4%) underwent surgery within 2 days. A Charlson index greater than 2, anticoagulant therapy, and admission on Thursday to Saturday, were independently associated with a surgical delay greater than 2 days. ConclusionsThe rate of hip fracture patients undergoing surgery within 2 days is low. Risk factors associated to surgical delay are non-modifiable. However, their knowledge should allow the development of protocols that can reduce surgical delay in this group of patients.

Incidence, presentation and risk factors of late postoperative pericardial effusions requiring invasive treatment after cardiac surgery.

Occurrence and risk factors of late postoperative pericardial effusions requiring invasive treatment, i.e. pretamponade and tamponade, following cardiac surgery are incompletely described in current literature. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence and presentation of late pretamponade and tamponade as well as to outline significant predisposing factors. A cohort of 1356 consecutive cardiac surgery patients treated in a tertiary academic centre between January 2013 and December 2014 was followed up for 6 months after surgery. Pericardial effusion was considered late when presenting after the 7th postoperative day. The incidence, timing and risk factors, as well as symptoms and clinical findings associated with late pretamponade and tamponade in patients surviving at least 7 days was analysed. Of 1308 patients included in the analysis, 81 (6.2%) underwent invasive treatment for late postoperative pericardial effusion, 27 (2.1%) for pretamponade and 54 (4.1%) for tamponade, respectively, with a median delay of 11 (range 8-87) days after the primary operation. Haemodynamic instability was present in 34.6%, signs of cardiac chamber compression in 54.3% and subjective symptoms, mostly dyspnoea, in 56.8% of patients, respectively. Treated patients were younger, had lower EuroSCORE-II rating, less coronary disease, better cardiac function, higher preoperative haemoglobin values and had mostly undergone elective surgery involving cardiac valves. In multivariable analysis, independent risk factors were single valve surgery and high preoperative haemoglobin level, whereas age 60-69 years was associated with lower risk. Younger, generally healthier patients undergoing valve surgery are at greatest risk for developing late tamponade or pretamponade.

The effect of oral tranexamic acid administration on blood loss and hospital costs in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Aim:Total knee arthroplasty is a kind of major orthopaedic operation that may go with serious amount of peroperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid administration (an antifibrinolytic agent) is one of the most common strategy among the various blood preserving strategies used in major surgeries associated with high volume blood loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of oral tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty procedures. In addition hospital costs were also compared.Materials-Methods:Between 2013-2016, 256 total knee arthroplasty procedure performed by six different staff surgeons in our clinic. 125 patients appropriate for our study criteria were included in our study and retrospectively evaluated. 49 patients in study group were administered 15 mg/kg tranexamic intravenous infusion before relasing intraoperative tourniquet and continued as oral 500 mg tranexamic acid three times with 6 hours interval in the first postoperative 24 hours.76 patients were not administered tranexamic acid and compromised the control group. Information on pateints’s demographics, preoperative and postoperative 24th hour hemoglobin and hematocrit values, postoperative 24th hour drain volumes and blood transfusions were obtained from patient files retrospectively.Results:Postoperative 24th hour drain volumes were significiantly less in tranexamic acid administered group (283 130 cc) than that of control group (383 135 cc) (p<0,001). Decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit values in the postoperative 24th hour were significiantly less in study group (1,73 g/dL-%6,13) than those of control group (2,92 g/dL -%8,63) (P<0,001). Both number of total erythrocyte suspensions (ES) transfused and number of patients transfused were higher in control group than those of study group. (52 ES and 45 patients versus 18 ES and 14 patients) Calculated average ES per patient were 0.37 in study group and 0.68 in control group. (P=0,009). As a result blood bank costs were reduced %50 in study group as compared to control group.Conclusions:Tranexamic acid administered as single intraoperative intravenous dose and sequentially continued as 500 mg oral dosage 3 times with six hours interval in the first postoperatve24 hours is a significiantly effective approach in preventing bloos loss and reducing hospital costs in total knee arthroplasty procedures. In addition easiness and convinience of oral administration of tranexamic acid makes the approach more advantageous.

Predicting the Need for Intra-operative Large Volume Blood Transfusions During Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair is a complex procedure performed in patients at high cardiovascular risk. High volume intra-operative bleeding is often recorded, and the amount of intra-operative blood product transfusion is associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to identify pre-operative predictors of intra-operative large volume blood transfusions (LVBT) to stratify patients pre-operatively. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all patients who underwent open TAAA surgery at San Raffaele Scientific Institute from January 2009 to December 2015. Intra-operative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were administered to maintain a hematocrit of at least 30%. A LVBT was defined as a transfusion of at least four RBC units, corresponding to 1000mL. The study population included 428 patients: 260 (61%) received fewer than 4 RBC units, and 168 (39%) were transfused with at least 4 RBC units. In patients who underwent LVBT, higher mortality was observed after surgery (p=.003), longer intensive care unit admission (p=.004), and longer mechanical ventilation compared with less transfused patients (p=.0002). The patients who received fewer units were administered a higher dose of heparin during the surgical operation compared with patients of the LVBT group: 3400±1100 vs. 2900±1300 IU (international units) (p=.0004). Pre-operative chronic renal failure (OR 1.8), the pre-operative haemoglobin value (OR 0.8), and the need for urgent or emergent surgery (OR 3.15) were independent predictors of LVBT on multivariate analysis. The identification of patients at risk of intra-operative LVBT during TAAA surgery is critical as these patients experience a worse outcome. Nevertheless, only few independent predictors are available for clinical practice.

A Novel Atraumatic Tourniquet Technique for Excessive Bleeding during Cesarean Sections.

Objective. Controlling excessive bleeding in cesarean sections which may cause a life-threatening event even under well-prepared conditions. We used a novel atraumatic tourniquet technique to temporary arrest blood flow through the uterine and ovarian vessels and compare with other techniques. Toothless vascular clamps were used as clamp. Methods. Tourniquet technique performed postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) cases (19 out of 37) were compared with 18 other cases with PPH. Results. The difference between preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin values was significantly lower in the study group as well as the number of blood products needed during and after surgery. Conclusions. This technique not only prevented massive bleeding from the uterus but also allowed physicians time to consider the necessity of further interventions.

Myomectomy for intramural fibroids during caesarean section: A therapeutic dilemma

The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of myomectomy for intramural fibroids during caesarean section. A retrospective study of 63 women who underwent myomectomy during caesarean section and 63 women who underwent caesarean delivery without myomectomy was conducted. The study group was divided into subgroups according to the volume of fibroids and total incision count. The volume of fibroids, the preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin values and the difference between them, incidence of haemorrhage and blood transfusion, duration of operation and postoperative fever of patients were investigated. Duration of operation was longer (p < .001) and haemoglobin loss was higher (p = .01) in the myomectomy group. There was no difference between one incision and two incisions subgroups in terms of mean haemoglobin change (p = .068). Haemoglobin loss was higher in volume >50 cm3 group than volume <50 cm3 and control groups. These differences were statistically significant (p = .02; p = .001, respectively). Although intramural fibroids can be safely removed during caesarean section, large fibroids and extra incisions for myomectomy are risk factors for haemorrhage.