Perioperative mortality in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Megan E McNally1, Lavina Malhotra, Mark Bloomston

  • 1Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Medical Center, James Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA. Megan.McNally@osumc.edu

Abstract

Insights

Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) face poor outcomes and high perioperative mortality, especially for urgent procedures. Informed consent is crucial for these high-risk surgeries.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of diseases characterized by ineffective blood cell production.
  • Patients with MDS often have poor prognoses and reduced survival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the perioperative mortality rate in patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome.
  • To identify factors influencing outcomes in MDS patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 169 MDS patients treated over 15 years.
  • Identification of an operative subgroup (39 patients) who underwent procedures requiring general anesthesia.
  • Collection of demographic, survival, and procedural data.

Main Results:

  • The overall median survival for MDS patients was 17.8 months.
  • The 30- and 60-day postoperative mortality rates were 23% and 30.8%, respectively.
  • Urgent/emergent procedures were associated with significantly higher 60-day mortality (48%) compared to elective procedures (7%).

Conclusions:

  • MDS patients have poor outcomes, with survival often less than two years.
  • Urgent/emergent operations in MDS patients are associated with high postoperative mortality.
  • Informed consent is essential for MDS patients, particularly before urgent/emergent procedures.