The effects of preoperative anaemia on postoperative complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: A...

Preoperative anaemia is a risk factor for an increased requirement for blood and blood-product transfusions in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Our aim was to study the association between preoperative anaemia and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

This was a prospective descriptive study of adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Patients were classified into preoperative anaemia (Group A: Hb <13 g/dL in males, <12 g/dL in females) and non-anaemia (Group B). Collected data included demographics, intraoperative parameters, laboratory values, and postoperative outcomes, including complications, transfusion requirements, intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess differences between the groups.

A total of 104 patients were included: 29 with preoperative anaemia (Group A) and 75 with normal haemoglobin levels (Group B). Both groups were predominantly male. Patients with preoperative anaemia experienced significantly higher rates of intraoperative bleeding and perioperative crystalloid use, greater chest tube drainage volumes and longer durations, and increased postoperative pRBC transfusion requirements. Complications were more frequent in Group A than in Group B (31% vs. 8%, p=0.005) and hospital stays were longer (9.6±5.5 days vs. 7.7±4.7 days, p=0.014).

This study highlights the significant impact of preoperative anaemia on patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Preoperative anaemia was associated with increased intraoperative bleeding, higher complication rates, and longer hospital stays. These findings emphasise the need for thorough preoperative evaluation and optimisation of anaemia to improve surgical outcomes.