A destined inquisitive study of intraoperative blood loss assessment in a south indian tertiary care hospital

Anil Shetty; Prashanth C

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

A destined inquisitive study of intraoperative blood loss assessment in a south indian tertiary care hospital

Anil Shetty, Prashanth C

Abstract :

Background: There is no clear concise method of measuring intra–operative estimated blood loss. Many clinicians often estimate blood on simple observation, which can offer wide–ranging values. This often leads to poor management with the transfusion of blood products in the intraoperative patient. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of intraoperative blood loss estimation. Objectives: Access the accuracy of clinical blood loss estimation, find the better alternative method to assess the intraoperative blood loss. Methodology: Fifty patients undergoing major elective surgeries for various indications were enrolled in this study. Baseline charateristics, preoperative haematocrit, post–operative haematocrit, clinically estimated blood loss (EBL) was noted. Blood was transfused after the sample was drawn for haemotocrit estimation. Modification of the Gross formula is used to calculate actual blood loss (ABL). The number of cases where the blood loss was clinically underestimated and overestimated; and the relationship between the difference in actual and estimated blood loss and accuracy of clinical assessment of blood loss was determined. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Bland Altman plot Results: 50 cases of which we studied, there was overestimation of blood loss in 26 (52%) cases. However, there was underestimation of blood loss in 24 (48%) cases. The Bland and Altman plot suggests that as the average blood loss increases (p<0.001) the clinical estimation of blood loss is more inaccurate Conclusion: We conclude that clinical estimation of blood loss is inaccurate in the intraoperative period and should not be used as a sole for estimation of blood loss and as need to determine for red blood cell transfusions.