Abstract
Background Excessive requests for preoperative packed red cell (PRC) preparation have been noted,
resulting in waste of blood products and higher costs in brain tumor surgery. The
objectives of the present study were as follows: (1) the primary objective was to
assess the effectiveness index of blood preparation and utilization; (2) the secondary
objective was to explore factors associated with intraoperative PRC transfusion; and
(3) the third objective was to identify the prevalence and analyze risk factors of
massive transfusion.
Methods A retrospective cohort study was done on patients who had undergone brain tumor operations.
The effectiveness indexes of preoperative PRC preparation and intraoperative utilization
were calculated as follows: the crossmatch to transfusion (C/T) ratio, transfusion
probability (Tp), and transfusion index (Ti). Additionally, factors associated with
intraoperative PRC transfusion and massive transfusion were analyzed.
Results There were 1,708 brain tumor patients and overall C/T, Tp, and Ti were 3.27, 45.54%,
and 1.10, respectively. Prevalence of intraoperative PRC transfusion was 44.8%, and
meningioma, intraosseous/skull-based tumor, and tumor size were linked with massive
transfusion.
Conclusion Unnecessary preoperative blood component preparation for brain tumor surgery was
noticed in routine practice. Exploring intraoperative transfusion variables has been
challenged in optimizing crossmatch and actual use.
Keywords
massive transfusion - intraoperative transfusions - brain tumor - blood transfusion
