The impact of anemia on microsurgical breast reconstruction complications and outcomes

• Published in: Microsurgery 2014-05, Vol.34 (4), p.261-270
• Main Authors: Nelson, Jonas A., Fischer, John P., Grover, Ritwik, Cleveland, Emily, Erdmann-Sager, Jessica, Serletti, Joseph M., Wu, Liza C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia - complications; Female; Humans; Mammaplasty - methods; Microsurgery; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0738-1085; 1098-2752
• DOI: 10.1002/micr.22202

Introduction: Appropriate and adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to a free flap is paramount to viability and success. We present a comprehensive examination of perioperative anemia, determining its prevalence and effect on complications and outcomes in autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: We analyzed all autologous free flap breast reconstruction at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 2005 to 2011 with regards to anemia (hemoglobin (Hgb)  12 g dL−1 at preoperative and postoperative timepoints. Complications were analyzed relative to HgB levels and the incidence of anemia. Subgroups were analyzed based on worsening degrees of anemia. Results: Overall, 839 patients were included in the analysis with an 18.3% incidence of preoperative anemia. No significant differences were noted in outcomes of these patients relative to their anemic state, although a higher percent did receive a blood transfusion (18% of anemic patients vs. 6% of nonanemic patients, P