Purpose: To investigative whether giving an iron preparation to anemic patients before colorectal cancer surgery improves their anemia and reduces the need for intraoperative blood transfusion.
Methods: Among 569 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between 1998 and 2003, we studied 32 anemic patients who received iron supplementation for at least 2 weeks preoperatively (group A) and 84 anemic patients who did not (group B). Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) level at first presentation of </=10.0 g/dl. Hemoglobin and hematocrit (Ht) levels were measured at first presentation, then immediately before and after surgery. We also calculated intraoperative blood loss and compared intraoperative transfusion rates.
Results: There were no significant differences between groups A and B in age, sex, surgical technique, tumor stage, and operating time. Their Hb and Ht values were similar at first presentation, but significantly different immediately before surgery (both P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss between the groups, but significantly fewer patients in group A needed an intraoperative blood transfusion (9.4% vs 27.4%, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Iron supplementation for at least 2 weeks before colorectal cancer surgery increases Hb and Ht values in anemic patients, and reduces the need for intraoperative transfusion.