Transfusion Rate Research Articles

Robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy versus laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: outcomes from a pooled analysis.

The comparative advantages of robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (RPRA) over laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (LPRA) remain a topic of ongoing debate within the medical community. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aim to assess the safety and efficacy of RPRA compared to LPRA, with the ultimate goal of determining which procedure yields superior clinical outcomes. A systematic search was conducted on databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database to identify relevant studies, encompassing both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, that compare the outcomes of RPRA and LPRA. The primary focus of this study was to evaluate perioperative surgical outcomes and complications. Review Manager 5.4 was used for this analysis. The study was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023453816). A total of seven non-RCTs were identified and included in this study, encompassing a cohort of 675 patients. The findings indicate that RPRA exhibited superior performance compared to LPRA in terms of hospital stay (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.78 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.46 to -0.10; p = 0.02). However, there were no statistically significant differences observed between the two techniques in terms of operative time, blood loss, transfusion rates, conversion rates, major complications, and overall complications. RPRA is associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay compared to LPRA, while demonstrating comparable operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, and complication rate. However, it is important to note that further research of a more comprehensive and rigorous nature is necessary to validate these findings. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=453816, identifier CRD42023453816.

Evaluation of Disparities in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR-MDS) Patient Treatment Patterns in a Large US Health System

BACKGROUND Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogenous group of myeloid neoplasms. Patients may present with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as fatigue, infections, bleeding, and bruising. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are used to confirm diagnosis and are critical in the evaluation of bone marrow cell morphology and cellularity necessary for risk classification. Patients stratified as higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS) have worse overall survival and a higher risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment of HR-MDS can be challenging. While hypomethylating agents azacitidine and decitabine are the only approved drugs for HR-MDS, there are clinical and translational studies for other treatment approaches. The only curative treatment at present is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), for which only a portion of patients may qualify. This study sought to identify potential missed opportunities in care, including time to diagnosis (Dx) and treatment, by evaluating differences based on underlying sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with HR-MDS. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan members with evidence of newly diagnosed HR-MDS in the Optum Research Database (ORD). Additional Optum datasets were linked to the standard ORD to allow for the inclusion of additional socioeconomic (SES) and social determinants of health (SDoH) variables. The study period was 1 January 2016 to 31 July 2022. Adults with ≥1 inpatient claim for HR-MDS or ≥2 outpatient claims for either MDS or HR-MDS (requiring at least 1 to be HR-MDS) on 2 separate dates between 1 January 2017 and 30 April 2022 were eligible for inclusion. The earliest HR-MDS claim was the index date. A period of 12 months prior to the index date was used to assess baseline characteristics. Patients were followed for at least 3 months post-index until the earliest of AML Dx, death, end of continuous enrollment, or end of the study period. RESULTS The study criteria were met by 1710 patients. Median age at HR-MDS Dx was 77 years, and 40% of patients had baseline Charlson comorbidity score ≥3; 22% had no claim for a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration in the 12 months prior to index or during variable follow-up. Patients were categorized hierarchically based on level of treatment received: HSCT occurred in 4% of patients, 33% had evidence of active treatment, 26% received MDS supportive treatment, and 37% had no treatment in the variable follow-up period. Patients who received HSCT had the lowest Charlson score (mean 1.3), followed by those who received active treatment (mean 2.2), no treatment (mean 2.3), and MDS supportive treatment (mean 2.8). Patients who received active treatment and those who received no treatment appeared to have a similar average age (76 years), similarities in baseline comorbidities (autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and hepatic and renal diseases), and similarities in underlying SDoH and SES characteristics. Male patients made up 58% of the total study population; the prevalence by sex varied within treatment groups where male patients were 64% of the active treatment group but only 54% of the MDS supportive treatment group (Fig. 1a). HSCT patients had the least likelihood of unmet SDoH need, whereas those in MDS supportive care generally had the lowest chance of no unmet need (Fig. 1b). Few patients (7%) had claims indicative of clinical trial participation after index; clinical trial participants were healthier (mean Charlson score 1.9 vs 2.4) and younger (only 37% were aged 75+ vs 64% of non-participants in this age group). Patients not participating in clinical trials were more likely to have unmet financial or housing security and transportation access challenges. White and Asian patients had the highest rates of whole blood transfusions (5.4 and 5.7 per 100 person-months, respectively), while Hispanic patients had the lowest rate (2.5 per 100 person-months). CONCLUSION A large proportion of HR-MDS patients had no evidence of active treatment during the variable follow-up. HSCT and clinical trial participation were low in the study; these patients were younger, had fewer comorbidities, and did not experience financial, housing, or transportation issues. To ensure guideline concordant care, there is a need to further contextualize drivers of treatment in clinical practice, including patients' preferences.

Analysis of Allergic Transfusion Reactions at a Children's Tertiary Care Center

Background: Transfusion reaction adverse events are a relatively rare occurrence in the United States. This is due to specific blood safety measures such as appropriate collection, preparation, testing, storage, and distribution of blood components as well as appropriate monitoring of patients receiving these transfusions. Several years of data have been collected by our institution's blood bank. Through our analysis, we have been able to describe the rate of transfusion- associated adverse events in pediatric patients at Children's Hospital of Michigan from 2018-2022. Objectives: The aim of this retrospective chart review was to assess the rate of allergic blood transfusion complications and reactions among pediatric patients at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, Michigan. Materials and Methods: An institution-based retrospective chart review was conducted for a total of 43,210 transfusions over a span of five years from 2018-2022. Results: There were a total of 43,210 transfusions. A total of 26,669 of these products were red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, 10,447 were platelets, 4,392 were plasma, and 1,702 were cryoprecipitate (combined plasma and cryoprecipitate was 6,094). A reported reaction was encountered in 176 of the 43,210 transfusions. These reported reactions were part of the patients' underlying diseases. A true acute transfusion reaction (ATR) was encountered in 116 of the 43,210 transfusions. Of the 116 transfusions, 66 (56.9%) were classified as allergic reactions. About 61% of those reactions were skin manifestations (urticaria, itching), 9% were respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, tachypnea), and the remaining 30% were both skin and respiratory symptoms. Of the total amount of RBC transfusions, 35 (0.131%) resulted in an allergic reaction. Similarly, 19 (0.182%) platelet and 12 (0.197%) plasma transfusions resulted in ATRs. ATRs were most associated with plasma, followed by platelets and RBC transfusions. Combining all transfusions received, these represented a total of 66 (0.153%) allergic transfusion reactions. These results are demonstrated in Figure 1. Conclusion: ATRs were observed in 0.268% of total transfusions (allergic reactions (0.153%) and other reactions (0.115%)) that occurred over the course of five years at our institution. This is about 1 in 655 blood components transfused that was associated with an allergic reaction (more commonly with plasma > platelets > packed RBCs). The rate of allergic reactions is less than what was reported by National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey 2017 (0.282%). This rate is also less than what is reported for children (0.53%) and adults (0.26%) in a meta-analysis (Wang Y, Sun W, Wang X, et al. Comparison of transfusion reactions in children and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2022;69(9):e29842.). These lower rates could be secondary to changes in blood processing and under-reporting.

Hydroxyurea Dose Optimization Is Safe and Improves Outcomes for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia Living in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Reach Experience

Disclosures Introduction: Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea (REACH, NCT01966731) is an open-label multi-country prospective trial of hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in sub-Saharan Africa (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Uganda). Initial results documented the feasibility, safety, and benefits of hydroxyurea treatment with dose escalation to maximum tolerated dose (MTD), but further hydroxyurea dose optimization data are needed to assess long-term benefits and risks. We now report the REACH experience with up to 8 years of hydroxyurea treatment, describing laboratory responses, clinical outcomes, and dose-related toxicities (DLT). Methods: Children 1-10 years of age with SCA were enrolled. After screening, the hydroxyurea dose was fixed at 15-20 mg/kg/day for 6 months with monthly complete blood counts (CBC) to ensure safety. From Month 6-24, the dose was escalated (5 mg/kg every 8 weeks) to MTD, defined as mild myelosuppression with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <4.0 x 109/L on 2 consecutive CBC. Beyond Month 24, dosing was optimized for weight gain and increased based on CBC results. With a low DLT rate using the original MTD criteria (ANC <1.0 x 109/L, Hb <4.0 g/dL, reticulocyte count <80 x 109/L unless Hb >7.0 g/dL, or platelets <80 x 109/L), dose optimization criteria were modified toward a target ANC of 3.0 x 109/L. The hydroxyurea dose was increased if ANC >3.0 x 109/L, Hb >5.0 g/dL, reticulocytes >100 x 109/L and platelets >100 x 109/L. Laboratory responses, clinical responses, and DLT rates were compared across the four dosing phases (Screening, Fixed Dose, Dose Escalation, and Dose Optimization). Results: A total of 635 children enrolled in REACH and began screening; 606 initiated hydroxyurea and currently 527 (87%) remain in the trial, with an average treatment duration of 83 months (range 76-105 months) and total of 4,199 patient-years of hydroxyurea treatment. Over 85% achieved MTD initially at an average hydroxyurea dose of 22.5 ± 5.0 mg/kg/day, ranging from 19.0 mg/kg/day in Angola to 25.4 mg/kg/day in Uganda. With dose optimization, doses have increased and the most recent average is 28.1 ± 5.1 mg/kg/day, ranging from 27.1 mg/kg/day in Congo to 28.8 mg/kg/day in Uganda. Across the four dosing phases, key laboratory responses (Hb, HbF, and ANC) have improved over time: the average Hb increased from 7.3 g/dL at baseline to 8.4 g/dL at MTD and is currently 8.7 g/dL; average HbF increased from 11% at baseline to 25% at MTD and is now 27%; and average ANC decreased from 6.8 x 109/L at baseline to 4.2 x 109/L at MTD and is currently 3.6 x 109/L. Comparing event rates per 100 patient-years between Screening to Dose Optimization, vaso-occlusive episodes decreased from 104.5 to 43.9, acute chest syndrome decreased from 9.0 to 2.1, splenic sequestration decreased from 1.8 to 0.7 and stroke decreased from 1.8 to 0.3. Transfusion rates decreased from 48.6 to 11.2, malaria from 46.8 to 19.1, non-malarial infections from 111.7 to 52.9, and death has decreased from 3.6 to 1.0 per 100 pt-years. As a composite, all sickle-related clinical events including vaso-occlusive pain, acute chest syndrome, stroke, and all serious adverse events have decreased as the dose increased (Fig 1). Lab toxicities have been infrequent and transient, with 2/3 identified incidentally during a scheduled visit without illness. Among 25,730 total CBCs obtained in REACH, only 421 (2.6%) in 225 participants had a DLT, and the incidence rate has not increased across dosing phases from Screening (0.22 events per pt-year) through Dose Optimization (0.21 events per pt-year). During COVID, 549 children had labs checked at 6-month intervals without any increase in the DLT rate or clinical events. Many DLT are unrelated to hydroxyurea including thrombocytopenia (33%) with splenomegaly, followed by anemia (26%) with malaria. Severe neutropenia (ANC <0.5 x 109/L) was very rare (5 events) with no neutropenic infections. Conclusions: Hydroxyurea is safe, well-tolerated, and effective for children in REACH. Hydroxyurea escalation to MTD with further dose optimization is associated with improved laboratory and clinical responses, but no increased toxicity. Routine CBC monitoring at 3-month intervals is sufficient and extension to longer intervals may be appropriate. Hydroxyurea dosing at 25-30 mg/kg/day is feasible and safe in sub-Saharan Africa and provides optimal treatment benefits. Aygun: GBT: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; bluebird bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Latham:Emmaus Medical: Research Funding. Ware:Addmedica: Research Funding; Emmaus Medical: Research Funding. Figure 1

Functional and safety outcomes after benign prostatic enlargement surgeries in men with detrusor underactivity compared with normal detrusor contractility: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Men with detrusor underactivity (DUA)and concomitant bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE)may present poorer functional outcomes after surgical desobstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BPE surgery in men with DUA compared with those with normal detrusor contractility (NC). This review was performed according to the 2020 PRISMA framework. A comprehensive literature search was performed until May 7, 2023, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database. No date limits were imposed. Only comparative studies were accepted. The primary endpoint was to assess if there was any difference in short- and long-term functional outcomes after BPE surgery in men with DUA and NC. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the differences in perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications between the two groups. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) software. There were 5 prospective nonrandomized studies and 12 retrospective studies, including 1701 DUA and 1993 NC patients. Regarding surgical procedures, there were eightTURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) studies, fourGreenLight PVP (photoselective vaporization of the prostate) studies, twoHoLEP (Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate) studies, oneGreenLight PVP/HoLEPstudy, oneHolmium laser incision of the prostate study, and onestudy did not report the type of surgery. We did not find a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of perioperative outcomes, including postoperative catheterization time, hospitalization time, urinary retention, need to recatheterization, transfusion rate, or urinary tract infections. Also, we found no significant differences in long-term complications, such as bladder neck stenosis or urethral stenosis. Posttreatment bladder recatheterization and retreatment rate for BPE regrowth could not be evaluated properly, because only one study reported these findings. When we analyzed functional outcomes at 3 months, those with NC had lower International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS),lower quality-of-life (QoL) score, better maximum flow rate (Qmax), and lower post-voiding residual (PVR)of urine. These results were maintained at 6 months postoperatively, with exception of PVR that showed no difference. However, at 12 and more than 12 months the functional outcomes became similar regarding IPSS and QoL. There were few data about Qmax and PVR at longer follow-up. In this meta-analysis, data suggest that BOO surgical treatment in patients with concomitant BPE and DUA appears to be safe. Despite patients with DUA may present worse functional outcomes in the short postoperative term compared with the NC population, IPSS and QoL scores become comparable again after a longer follow-up period after surgery.

Transfusions in autoimmune hemolytic anemias: Frequency and clinical significance of alloimmunization.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may be associated with transfusion reactions and risk of alloimmunization. To evaluate the transfusion policy and rate of alloimmunization and its clinical significance in AIHA. Data from 305 AIHA patients followed at a reference hematologic Center in Milan, Italy from 1997 to 2022 were retrospectively/prospectively collected (NCT05931718). Overall, 33% patients required transfusions with a response rate of 83% and eight transfusion reactions (7%), none hemolytic. Alloantibodies were detected in 19% of patients, being associated with higher transfusion burden (p=0.01), lower Hb increase post-transfusion (p=0.05), and transfusion reactions (p=0.04). Along decades, the rate of RBC transfusions decreased from 53% to 20% and that of alloimmunization dropped from 30% to 6% likely due to the adoption of prestorage leukoreduction, the use of more restrictive Hb thresholds, and the implementation of molecular typing. Severe symptomatic AIHA may be safely transfused provided appropriate matching of patients and donors.

Image-guided core-needle or surgical biopsy for neuroblastoma diagnosis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the International Society of Pediatric Surgical Oncology (IPSO).

Image-guided core-needle biopsy (IGCNB) is a widely used and valuable clinical tool for tissue diagnosis of pediatric neuroblastoma. However, open surgical biopsy remains common practice even if children undergo more invasive and painful procedures. This review aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy and safety of IGCNBs in pediatric patients with neuroblastoma. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed original articles published between 1980 and 2023, by searching "pediatric oncology," "biopsy," "interventional radiology," and "neuroblastoma." Exclusion criteria were patients older than 18years, studies concerning non-neurogenic tumors, case reports, and language other than English. Both the systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A total of 533 abstracts articles were analyzed. Of these, eight retrospective studies met inclusion criteria (490 infants, 270 surgical biopsies [SB], 220 image-guided biopsies). Tissue adequacy for primary diagnosis (SB: n=265, 98%; IGCNB: n=199, 90%; p=.1) and biological characterization (SB: n=186, 95%; IGCNB: n=109, 89%; p=.15) was similar with both biopsy techniques, while intraoperative transfusion rate (SB: n=51, 22%; IGCNB: n=12, 6%; p=.0002) and complications (%) (SB: n=58, 21%; IGCNB: n=14, 6%; p=.005) were higher with surgical biopsy. Length of stay was similar in both groups; however, no additional data about concurrent diagnostic or treatment procedures were available in the analyzed studies. IGCNB is a safe and effective strategic approach for diagnostic workup of NB and should be considered in preferance to SB wherever possible.

Recombinant human thrombopoietin therapy for primary immune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: a retrospective comparative cohort study

BackgroundTreatment options for pregnant women with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who do not respond to first-line treatment are limited. Few studies have reported the use of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) for this subset of patients.AimsTo investigate the efficacy and safety of rhTPO in ITP during pregnancy and determine obstetric outcomes and predictors of treatment response.MethodsFrom July 2013 to October 2022, the data of 81 pregnant women with ITP and a platelet count < 30 × 109/L who did not respond to steroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin were retrospectively analysed. Of these patients, 33 received rhTPO treatment (rhTPO group) while 48 did not (control group). Baseline characteristics, haematological disease outcomes before delivery, obstetric outcomes, and adverse events were compared between groups. In the rhTPO group, a generalised estimating equation (GEE) was used to investigate the factors influencing the response to rhTPO treatment.ResultsThe baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups (P > 0.05, both). Compared with controls, rhTPO patients had higher platelet counts (median [interquartile range]: 42 [21.5–67.5] vs. 25 [19–29] × 109/L, P = 0.002), lower bleeding rate (6.1% vs. 25%, P = 0.027), and lower platelet transfusion rate before delivery (57.6% vs. 97.9%, P < 0.001). Gestational weeks of delivery (37.6 [37–38.4] vs 37.1 [37–37.2] weeks, P = 0.001) were longer in the rhTPO group than in the control group. The rates of caesarean section, postpartum haemorrhage, foetal or neonatal complications, and complication types in both groups were similar (all P > 0.05). No liver or renal function impairment or thrombosis cases were observed in the rhTPO group. GEE analysis revealed that the baseline mean platelet volume (MPV) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.522, P = 0.002) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (OR: 1.214, P = 0.025) were predictors of response to rhTPO treatment.ConclusionrhTPO may be an effective and safe treatment option for pregnancies with ITP that do not respond to first-line treatment; it may have slightly prolonged the gestational age of delivery. Patients with a low baseline MPV and high baseline PLR may be more responsive to rhTPO treatment. The present study serves as a foundation for future research.

The cost-effectiveness of tranexamic acid for preventing blood transfusions following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a break-even analysis

BackgroundThe administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss and blood transfusions. Due to its low cost and ability to prevent costly complications, TXA’s use is thought to be a cost-saving practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of TXA in preventing blood transfusions in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). MethodsThe cost of TXA ($5.22) and the cost of a blood transfusion ($299.31) from our institution, as well as baseline published blood transfusion rates following RSA (14.3%) without the administration of TXA, were included in a break-even model to calculate the absolute risk reduction (ARR) that the routine use of TXA would need to be considered economically justifiable. To account for variance in baseline transfusion rates, the cost of TXA, and the cost of blood transfusion across institutions, sensitivity analyses were conducted in which the break-even transfusion rate and ARR were calculated across a wide range for each variable. ResultsTXA is deemed cost-effective if it prevents one blood transfusion out of 57 RSAs (ARR = 1.74%). It is economically viable at varying drug costs ($1-$25), blood transfusion costs ($50-$5000), and baseline transfusion rates (2.00%-50.00%). ConclusionUsing the cost parameters at a single institution, the current study found that TXA would be cost-effective in preventing blood transfusion if its routine use achieves an ARR greater than 1.74% following RSA. As the ARR has been demonstrated in the literature to be greater than 1.74%, TXA can be considered cost-effective in preventing blood transfusion following RSA.

Comparison of early clinical outcomes between SuperCap and direct anterior approaches for total hip arthroplasty

To compare the short-term clinical efficacy of SuperCap approach and direct anterior approach in total hip arthroplasty. Clinical data of 70 patients who underwent minimally invasive SuperCap approach and DAA THA in January 2016 to June 2017 were retrospective analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups:SuperCap approach group(SuperCap group) and direct anterior approach group(DAA group). There were 15 males and 15 females in SuperCap group, aged from 45 to 71 years old, and the follow-up time ranged from 24 to 30 months. There were 24 males and 16 females in Group B, aged from 51 to 76 years and the follow-up time ranged from 24 to 36 months. Hemoglobin level of the 3rd day after operation, transfusion rate, acetabular abduction angle, anteversion angle and creatine kinase level of the 3rd day after operation, Harris score of 3 months and the last time, VAS score of 1 week and the last time were recorded and compared. Complications were recorded at the final follow-up. All patients were followed up, the follow-up time of SuperCap group ranged from 24 to 30 months, that of DAA group ranged from 24 to 36 months. No significant differences were found in hemoglobin level on the 3rd day after operation, transfusion rate, Harris score or VAS score between two group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris score between 3 months after operation and the final follow-up in both groups (P>0.05). There were no significant difference in VAS scores of 6 weeks after operation and on the final follow-up neither(P>0.05). The level of creatine kinase in SuperCap group was significant lower than that in DAA group(P<0.05). Until the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05). The clinical effect of minimally invasive SuperCap approach after total hip arthroplasty is comparable to that of DAA approach with less soft tissue injury. Patients can recover rapidly after operation and it is a safe and effective surgical approach for surgeons with short learning curve.

Comparison of efficacy between tranexamic acid and epsilon-aminocaproic acid for total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) have been demonstrated to reduce blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TXA and EACA in reducing blood loss in primary TKA patients. A search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identified all relevant studies published until December 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting a comparison of TXA and EACA for TKA patients were selected. The main outcomes were total blood loss (TBL), hemoglobin (Hb) drop on postoperative day 3, intraoperative blood loss, operation time and the transfusion rate were evaluated. The weighted mean differences (WMD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects model. Stata 12.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Six studies involving 739 (TXA:372; EACA:367) patients were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in terms of intraoperative blood loss, Hb drop on postoperative day 3, operation time, tourniquet time (TT), transfusion rate and the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) between the 2 treatments groups. However, compared with EACA, TXA significant reduced TBL (WMD, 174.60; 95% CI, -244.09 to -105.11). Our research did not demonstrate TXA to be superior to EACA in reducing need for transfusion and Hb drop. TXA was superior than EACA in reducing TBL in TKA patients. More RCTs with identical inclusion criteria and dose and duration of treatment, are required to confirm these findings.

The efficacy of temperature intervention combined with tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and accelerating recovery during spinal fusion.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature intervention combined with tranexamic acid (TXA) on perioperative blood loss during spinal fusion and accelerated rehabilitation. Between August 2014 and July 2019, 310 lumbar fusion at our hospital were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows. Group A (placebo): no TXA and no temperature intervention. Group B: TXA (15 mg/kg) before skin incision. Group C: TXA (15 mg/kg) before skin incision and temperature intervention. Group D: temperature intervention without TXA. The primary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, total blood loss, and core temperature at different stages. We also recorded the hemoglobin level, blood transfusion rate, prothrombin time on postoperative day 1 (POD1), length of hospital stay, and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The 4 groups showed statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, total blood loss, core temperature after anesthesia, average temperature during the operation, hemoglobin on POD1, and length of stay (P < .05). In contrast, prothrombin time on POD1 and the incidence of DVT or PE did not differ between the groups (P > .05). Comparing the transfusion rate in Group C (6/77, 7.79%) and Group A (17/78, 21.79%), the difference was statistically significant. Temperature intervention combined with TXA can significantly reduce blood loss and the transfusion rate of spinal fusion in the perioperative period, reduce the length of stay and accelerate rehabilitation after surgery without increasing the incidence of DVT or PE.

Intravenous single dose of tranexamic acid safely reduces blood loss and the need for transfusion in elderly patients with hip fracture. A randomized double-blinded controlled trial at 1-year follow-up

Background: A hip fracture usually presents significant blood loss in the perioperative period, with a transfusion rate of 20-60%. In order to reduce the complications associated with this procedure, the administration of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) has been implemented in the treatment of perioperative anemia. The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a single dose of intravenous Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in reducing perioperative blood loss and the requirement for transfusion in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery within one postoperative year. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 129 patients with hip fractures. After randomization, at the start of the surgery, 65 patients received a single dose of 1 gram of intravenous TXA (TXA group), and 64 received a placebo (placebo group). The primary effectiveness outcomes were the total blood loss and transfusion rate. The primary safety outcome was the rate of thromboembolic events. Data on surgical or medical infection, readmission and death were also collected. Results: The TXA group had a significant decrease in blood loss (p = 0.006) and requirement for transfusion (p &lt; 0.001) compared with the placebo group. Likewise, there were no thromboembolic events in the TXA group and seven in the placebo group (p = 0.006). Mortality within 1-year postoperatively was not significantly different (p = 0.115). Conclusion: Using a single dose of intravenous TXA at the start of the surgery significantly reduces blood loss and the requirement for transfusion without increasing the risk of thromboembolic events or mortality within 1-year postoperatively in patients with hip fracture undergoing surgery. Registration number: NCT03211286. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03211286. Level of evidence: I.

Tubeless PCNL versus standard PCNL for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones: a propensity score matching analysis

PurposeIn this study, the feasibility of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones was investigated.MethodsFrom January 2021 to December 2022, the clinical data of 273 patients who received tubeless PCNL (Group A) were studied. The control group includes clinical data from 302 patients (from January 2019 to October 2022) who received standard PCNL (Group B). The baseline characteristics were consistent between the two groups after using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Compare the preoperative clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, residual stones, catheterization time, and hospital stay between the two groups.Results146 pairs of patients were successfully paired through PSM. There was no statistically significant difference in operative time, blood leukocyte counts, haemoglobin decrease, fever, urinary extravasation, sepsis, bleeding, blood transfusion rates, embolism, and residual stones after surgery between the two groups; Postoperative day 1 and discharge day, the VAS pain score in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B. The catheterization time and hospitalization time of patients in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B.ConclusionAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, selecting suitable patients for tubeless PCNL is safe and effective, while significantly alleviating pain and reducing catheterization time and hospital stay.

Trends in deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty: 2016 to 2021

IntroductionVenous thromboembolism (VTE) has long been acknowledged as a potential complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA) contributing to heightened patient morbidity, mortality, and substantial healthcare costs. We aimed to: 1) assess trends in VTE prophylaxis utilization between 2016 and 2021; 2) determine the incidence of postoperative VTE and transfusions; and 3) identify independent risk factors for 90-day VTE and transfusion risks following THA in relation to the use of aspirin, dabigatran, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, and warfarin. MethodsA national, all-payer database was queried from January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022. Use trends for aspirin, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and warfarin as thromboprophylaxis following THA was assessed. Incidence of ninety-day postoperative outcomes assessed included rates of 90-day postoperative VTE and transfusion. ResultsFrom 2016 to 2021, aspirin (n = 36,346) was the most used agent for VTE prophylaxis after THA, followed by dabigatran (n = 13,065), rivaroxaban (n = 11,790), enoxaparin (n = 11,380), and warfarin (n = 6326). Independent risk factors for 90-day VTE included CKD, COPD, CHF, obesity, dabigatran, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, and warfarin (all p < 0.05). ConclusionAspirin was used with increasing frequency and demonstrated lower rates of VTE and transfusion following THA, compared to dabigatran, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, and warfarin. These findings seem to indicate that the increasing use of aspirin in VTE prophylaxis has been accomplished in appropriately selected patients.

Correlation Between 6 Characteristics of Perioperative Hypothermia and Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Abdominal Surgery Patients

To explore the correlation between six characteristics of perioperative hypothermia and allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients who underwent abdominal surgeries. Patients who underwent abdominal surgeries at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between October 2019 and July 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. A wearable wireless temperature sensor was used to continuously monitor the core body temperature of patients throughout the perioperative period. The perioperative temperature nadir, maximum temperature loss, percentage of time with hypothermia, time-weighted average temperature, area under the curve (AUC) at 36 ℃, and AUC at 37 ℃ were calculated for the period from entering the operation room to 24 hours after the end of anesthesia. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) and multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the correlation between these temperature characteristics and perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusions. A total of 3119 patients were included in the study, with an allogeneic RBC transfusion rate of 2.8%. The RCS model showed that allogeneic RBC transfusion was associated with the perioperative temperature nadir (Poverall=0.048) and AUC at 36 ℃ (Poverall=0.026) and no statistical significance was found in the nonlinear test. The association between allogeneic RBC transfusions and other temperature characteristics was not statistically significant. According to the RCS model results, cut-off points were taken to form groups based on the body temperature characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the perioperative temperature nadir<35.5 ℃ (odds ratio [OR]=2.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-5.03) and AUC at 36 ℃≥100 ℃·min (OR=2.24, 95% CI:1.09-4.58) were associated with increased demand for allogeneic RBC transfusion. Hypothermia is associated with an increased need for perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusions and has a cumulative effect over time. For patients at high risk of bleeding, attention should be paid to the prevention of perioperative hypothermia and reduction in the cumulative exposure to hypothermia, thereby reducing the need for blood transfusion.

HPB P23 Investigating the effect of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes following liver resection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background N-acetylcysteine (NAC), classed as an essential medicine by WHO, is an antioxidative agent that facilitates the conjugation of toxic metabolites. In the recent years, NAC has been routinely used to limit ischaemia-reperfusion injury during liver transplantation. There remains, however, a scarcity of large high-quality trials investigating its effectiveness in reducing post-hepatectomy liver failure and associated complications in patients undergoing liver resection. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aims to review the effectiveness of NAC in improving postoperative surgical outcomes following liver resection. Methods A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane electronic databases was performed to identify relevant RCTs published between 1947 and December 2022. The outcomes of biochemical markers at post-operative day 1 (lactate, ALT, and INR), length of hospital stay, transfusion rates, and morbidity were extracted from the included studies. Quantitative pooling of the data was based on the random effects model. Results Five RCTs reporting on 388 patients undergoing liver resection met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in patient demographics between groups. The postoperative lactate was lower in patients receiving NAC (WMD -1.08, 95% CI -1.54 to -0.62, I2= 0%). However, there were no differences in the postoperative INR (WMD 0.02, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.22, I2= 84%) and ALT (WMD -94.94, 95% CI -228.46 to 40.38; I2= 97%). More importantly, there were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay, transfusion rates, and morbidity between the two groups. Conclusions This meta-analysis of RCTs has shown that the administration of NAC in patients undergoing liver resection did not alter important biochemical parameters suggesting any real effectiveness in reducing post-hepatectomy liver failure. There were no improvements in the clinical outcomes of length of stay, transfusion rates, and overall morbidity.

Blood-conserving and therapeutic efficacy of intravenous tranexamic acid at different time points after primary total knee arthroplasty with tourniquet application: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThe use of a tourniquet in combination with tranexamic acid (TXA) not only ensures clear vision, reduces intraoperative blood loss and shortens operative time but also improves cement-bone inter-digitation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is no proof whether the blood flow blocking effect of tourniquet affects the antifibrinolytic effect of TXA, and the optimal timing of TXA administration is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of the first dose of TXA administered intravenously before tourniquet compression and release in TKA on perioperative blood loss and therapeutic efficacy in patients.MethodsIn this double-blind trial, 90 patients undergoing primary TKA were randomised into 2 groups: Group A, patients received intravenous TXA 10 min before tourniquet compression (20 mg/kg) and 3, 6 and 24 h later (10 mg/kg), and Group B, patients were treated the same as those in Group A but received intravenous TXA before tourniquet release. The primary outcomes were changes in blood loss, haemoglobin and haematocrit. Secondary outcomes included operation and tourniquet times, blood transfusion rate, subcutaneous petechiae and circumferential changes in the operated limb, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hospital for special surgery (HSS) score, length of stay (LOS) postoperatively, complications and patient satisfaction.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups with regard to age, sex, weight, body mass index (BMI), Kellgren-Lawrence class, preoperative blood volume, preoperative laboratory values, operation and tourniquet times, transfusion rate, knee circumference, preoperative HSS, or VAS score (P:n.s.). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss (IBL) (52.7 ml vs. 63.4 ml, P = 0.07), hidden blood loss (HBL) (91.4 ml vs. 119.9, P = 0.4) or total blood loss (TBL) (144.1 ml vs. 183.3 ml, P = 0.72) between Groups A and B. Haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell count (RBC) dropped to a low point on postoperative day 3 and then rebounded, returning to normal levels on day 21, and the trend of change between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P:n.s.). There was no significant difference in subcutaneous ecchymosis incidence, knee swelling rate, HSS score, VAS score, LOS postoperatively, complication rate or patient satisfaction (P:n.s.).ConclusionTXA was administered intravenously prior to tourniquet compression could effectively reduce blood loss in patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. However, there was no significant difference in knee swelling rate, subcutaneous bruising and petechiae incidence, knee function, complication rate or satisfaction between patients who TXA was given intravenously before tourniquet compression and release in primary TKA.

Plastic surgeon closure is comparable to orthopedic closure when a perioperative optimization protocol is instituted for pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis

Background ContextSince 2015, plastic multilayer closure (PMC) has been gaining attraction due to improved wound healing outcomes for medically complex patients. Plastic multilayer closure has been readily used for complex spine surgery closures in patients susceptible to wound healing issues (ie, dehiscence, surgical site infection [SSI]). However, PMC requires extensive soft tissue manipulation compared with standard orthopedic spine surgeon closure (SOC) and can result in extended operative times, increased transfusion rates, and more frequent returns to the operating room. PurposeFrom 2016 to 2019, our institution implemented a perioperative protocol designed to decrease postoperative complication rates in NMS patients. A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine if PMC imparted advantages over SOC above and beyond that from the perioperative protocol. Study Design/SettingRetrospective study at a single academic institution. Patient SampleEighty-one pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing spinal fixation surgery. Outcome MeasuresPostoperative wound complications such as surgical site infection, hematoma, and superficial/deep dehiscence were the main outcome measures. Respiratory and neuromuscular complications along with duration of surgery were also recorded. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of NMS patients undergoing spinal fixation at a single academic pediatric hospital over 4 years. Cases were labeled as SOC (n=41) or PMC (n=40) based on the closure technique applied. Reported 90-day complications were evaluated as the primary outcome. ResultsOf the 81 reviewed patients, 45 reported complications, roughly equal between the study groups. While we found no statistically significant differences in rates of postoperative complications or SSIs, SOC cases were 30 minutes shorter on average with fewer returns to the operating room for additional surgery. ConclusionsWith the implementation of our perioperative protocol for NMS patients, PMC did not result in fewer complications than SOC but the surgeries did take longer.

Could pain change position choice? Comparison of pain level, analgesic requirement and hospitalization time in supine and prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Investigation of how position affects postoperative pain levels and hospitalization in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) surgery. Between August 2019 and December 2022, a total of 156 patients who underwent prone (pPNL) and supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPNL) due to kidney stones were included in the study. Demographic data, preoperative CT scans, laboratory results, transfusion rates, operation durations, complication rates, stone-free rates, analgesic use, nephrostomy removal time, hospitalization duration, fluoroscopy time, hemoglobin decrease and postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were evaluated for all patients. By comparing these data between the sPNL and pPNL groups, the effect of position selection in PNL on pain control, analgesic requirement, and hospitalization duration was examined. In the comparison of the pPNL and sPNL groups, there was a significant difference between the two groups in body mass index, hounsfield unit, complication rate, analgesic rate, nephrostomy remove time, hospitalization time, operation time, fluoroscopy time and VAS score (p = 0.025, p < 0.001, p = 0.012, p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The shorter operation and hospitalization time in the sPNL group could be attributed to performing surgeries in a physiological position. Additionally, sPNL seems advantageous in terms of patients' pain levels, hospitalization time and VAS scores. One reason for this could be the different areas of access in sPNL and pPNL, which may correspond to different dermatome regions. Considering the low level of pain and reduced analgesic usage, sPNL appears to be advantageous.