Impact of autologous blood transfusions on patients undergoing radical prostatectomy using hypotensive anesthesia

We report on a retrospective study consisting of 71 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropublic prostatectomy under controlled hypotensive anesthesia, examining the impact of a preoperative autologous blood collection program on perioperative blood requirements. The population consisted of 34 patients who elected not to use autologous blood (group 1) and 37 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy after storing 1 to 3 units of their own blood (group 2). Median operative time and estimated blood loss were not statistically different. In group 1, 20 homologous blood units were used by 7 patients (21%). In group 2, 37 of 41 units transfused were autologous units and only 3 patients (8%) received homologous blood. However, for every unit of autologous blood deposited preoperatively there was a corresponding decrease in admission blood concentrations and 21 of 37 patients were anemic at hospitalization. In addition, the study suggests that in many patients the anemia produced by preoperative phlebotomy does not resolve preoperatively. In response, the effectiveness of preoperative autologous blood collection is decreased by this preoperative anemia. Although inefficient, we nevertheless conclude that an autologous blood collection program decreases homologous transfusion exposure and efforts should be directed to increase the erythropoietin response to the anemia produced by preoperative phlebotomy. Presently, it is an expensive program that offers only a modest benefit for patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.