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Routine hemoglobin testing following an elective Cesarean section: is it necessary?
E Horowitz1, Y Yogev, A Ben-Haroush
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Objective:
To determine the clinical relevance of routine hemoglobin testing following an elective Cesarean section.
Methods:
The charts of all women who underwent elective Cesarean section at a public teaching hospital during 2001 were reviewed for pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values, demographic data, indication for surgery and need for blood transfusion.
Results:
The study group included 383 patients. Mean (+/- SD) hemoglobin level was 12.24 +/- 1.09 g/dl prior to surgery and 10.87 +/- 1.2 g/dl after, a mean loss of 1.37 +/- 0.87 g/dl (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in blood loss by indication for surgery. None of the patients needed an intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion.
Conclusion:
Routine postoperative hemoglobin measurement after an uncomplicated elective Cesarean section in asymptomatic low-risk women is not necessary and should be eliminated.
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