Background: In colorectal cancer surgery, allogeneic blood transfusions have reportedly been associated with higher rates of postoperative complications and tumor recurrence. However, because of the increased cost of alternative types of blood transfusions (eg, the use of autologous blood or erythropoietin administration), their routine use cannot be recommended. This study evaluated the risk factors for perioperative blood transfusions in resection for rectal cancer in order to identify patients who could benefit from these methods.
Methods: From 1990 to 1997, 212 consecutive patients who underwent elective rectal resection for cancer were reviewed. The associations between perioperative heterologous blood transfusion and 18 patient-, tumor-, surgical-, and treatment-related variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: Of the 212 patients, 72 (34%) received transfusions. Multivariate analysis revealed that 5 preoperative variables were significant risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion: age > 65 years (P =.03), body mass index > 27 kg/m(2) (P =.04), preoperative hemoglobin < or = 12.5 g/dL (P <.0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists status > 2 (P =.024), and additional surgical procedures (P =.018). In patients with anemia, the risk of transfusion was at least 47% in patients with 1 other risk factor or more. In nonanemic patients, the risk of transfusion was under 11% in patients with 1 risk factor or none, but increased to 47% in those with 2 or more risk factors.
Conclusions: Our analysis of risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion in rectal resection for cancer must be considered to constitute guidelines for a more responsible use of the expensive alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion.