Perioperative Blood Loss
Perioperative Blood Loss
Perioperative blood loss is the physiological loss of blood that occurs during and immediately after surgery. It can be due to multiple factors, such as preoperative diseases, surgical duration, patient age, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and type of surgical procedure. Perioperative blood loss can lead to postoperative complications, such as anemia, transfusion reaction, or even death.
Risk Factors:
- Pre-existing medical conditions, such as cancers, diabetes, or kidney diseases
- Type of surgery, especially major surgeries with large incisions
- Length of surgery
- Patient age
- Laboratory values, such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels, prior to surgery
When trying to minimize blood loss, it’s important to take certain steps during the preoperative period. These include screening for pre-existing medical conditions, assessing laboratory values, and providing preoperative blood transfusions and/or antifibrinolytic agents, such as tranexamic acid or epsilon-aminocaproic acid.
During the operative period, steps can be taken to reduce blood loss, such as careful surgical technique, use of electrocautery, and use of hemostatic agents. Additionally, minimization of use of suction devices and cautery, as well as avoiding manipulation of tissues, can also help reduce blood loss.
In order to reduce blood loss in the postoperative period, it’s important to allow for tight packing of the wound and to provide appropriate antibiotic coverage. Further steps include monitoring for signs of bleeding, such as drops in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, as well as monitoring the patient’s temperature for signs of infection.
Perioperative blood loss is a serious issue that can have significant consequences. To prevent this, it’s important to take the necessary steps prior to, during, and after surgery to minimize blood losses and its attendant risks.
