Cross-match requirements in orthognathic surgery: an audit

A retrospective audit was undertaken of the value of routine cross-matching of blood for patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow. Overall, routine cross-matching of blood was wasteful of resources for all but the more major types of osteotomy procedure: Le Fort III, Le Fort II, malar osteotomies requiring a bicoronal flap and bimaxillary osteotomies. The study has financial implications regarding the proper use of cross-matching in selected patients undergoing elective orthognathic surgery. A blood ordering tariff has been suggested for the various procedures studied.