Blood transfusion requirements in children with blunt spleen and liver injuries


Avanoglu A., Ulman I., Ergun O., Ozcan C., Demircan M., Ozok G., ...More

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY, vol.8, no.6, pp.322-325, 1998 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 1998
  • Doi Number: 10.1055/s-2008-1071224
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.322-325
  • Inonu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The records of 174 children sustaining blunt spleen and liver injuries in a 16-year period were analyzed retrospectively to determine blood transfusion requirements in surgically versus conservatively managed patients. The whole study group consisted of 97 spleen, 70 liver, and 7 combined spleen and liver injuries respectively. Seventy-eight patients were managed conservatively while 96 children had undergone various operative procedures. The hematocrit (Hct) values, transfused blood volumes (ml/kg), and length of hospital stay were compared between the non-operative and operative treatment groups. Although the initial Hct values were found to be similar in non-operative versus operative groups (26.7 % +/- 2.7 % vs. 24.8 % +/- 3.5 %), transfused blood volumes were significantly higher in the surgically treated group respectively (20.9 ml/kg vs. 39.5 ml/kg) (p < 0.05). Similarly, mean length of hospital stay was longer in the surgical groups. Associated injuries were seen in 105 (60.3%) patients distributed randomly among two study groups. Twelve patients in the series died of other system/organ involvement. There were no deaths in isolated spleen and/or liver injuries.