Perioperative Blood Transfusion and Occurrence of Surgical Site Infection: An Integrative Review

Abstract

The aim of this integrative review was to locate, assess, and synthesize available evidence of the relationship between perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion and the occurrence of surgical site infection among adult patients undergoing elective surgery. After a comprehensive search of relevant databases and a review of the studies this yielded, we used a validated instrument to extract data from the 25 studies in our final sample. The clinical and surgical variables that were significantly and more frequently associated with the occurrence of surgical site infection among patients who received blood transfusions during the perioperative period were female sex, older age, and higher body mass index. Our findings indicate a lack of consensus on the hemoglobin levels that indicate a blood transfusion is necessary.

Impact of intraoperative allogenic and autologous transfusion on immune function and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

“…[ 11 ] While blood transfusion can save lives in many cases, it can also carry significant medical risks, such as incompatibility, transmission of infectious pathogens and allergic reactions. [ 12 ] In addition, blood products may alter immune function, including inhibiting the activity of cytotoxic cells and monocytes, releasing immunosuppressive prostaglandins, inhibiting the production of Interleukin-2, and increasing the activity of inhibitory T cells. [ 3 ] Perioperative blood transfusion is also associated with cancer recurrence and metastasis.…”