Abstract

A Study to Evaluate the Optimum Timing for Analyzing the Haemoglobin Indices in the Postoperative Period

Background: In the intraoperative period; unless there is a significant hemodynamic change due to acute blood loss, blood transfusion is avoided as much as possible to avoid its complications. Hence most often it is managed with crystalloids and colloids to maintain normovolemia to counter the acute blood loss in surgery. In surgical practice, there are not many available data to assess the best timing in the postoperative period to assess the haemoglobin and hematocrit to decide the need for transfusion. This is vital information as it will help to guide the need for further transfusions. A patient who undergoes major surgery in our hospital most often receives 2 or more units of blood intraoperatively or postoperatively. Hence this study was done to get the optimal value of hematocrit and haemoglobin in the postoperative period in patients who have received a blood transfusion. Methods: A retrospective study was done by assessing the records of cases between October 2018 to October 2020, at a tertiary care centre in Mangalore. Case sheets of all adult patients undergoing major surgery under General anaesthesia or central neuraxial blockade were evaluated and the data was analyzed. Results: The findings of our study suggest that the levels of haemoglobin are best evaluated at 6 hours post-operatively to decide on the need for transfusion.

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