Impact of perioperative transfusion in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases: A population-based study

BACKGROUND: Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with poorer outcomes. AIM: To identify the factors that were associated with perioperative transfusion and to examine the impact of perioperative transfusion in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases. METHODS: The United States National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was searched for patients with CRC who received surgery for liver metastasis. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 2018 patients were included, and 480 had a perioperative transfusion. Emergency admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.07-1.87), hepatic lobectomy (aOR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.42-2.19), and chronic anemia (aOR = 2.62; 95%CI: 2.04-3.35) were associated with increased chances of receiving a transfusion, but receiving surgery at a teaching hospital (aOR = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.58-0.98) was associated with a decreased chance of receiving a transfusion. Receiving a perioperative transfusion was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (aOR = 3.38; 95%CI: 1.57-7.25), and increased overall postoperative complications (aOR = 1.67; 95%CI: 1.31-2.13), as well as longer length of hospital stay CONCLUSION: Patients with an emergency admission, hepatic lobectomy, chronic anemia, and who have surgery at a non-teaching hospital are more likely to receive a perioperative transfusion. Patients with CRC undergoing surgery for hepatic metastases who receive a perioperative transfusion are at a higher risk of in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and longer length of hospital stay.