Randomized clinical trial of preoperative intravenous iron sucrose to reduce blood transfusion in anaemic patients after colorectal cancer surgery.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: The transfusion rate following colorectal cancer resection is between 10 and 30 per cent. Receipt of allogeneic blood is not without risk or cost. A preoperative adjunct that reduced the need for transfusion would mitigate these risks. This study was designed to determine whether iron sucrose reduces the likelihood of postoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection. METHODS: In this randomized prospective blinded placebo-controlled trial of patients undergoing resectional surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of colorectal cancer, 600 mg iron sucrose or placebo was given intravenously in two divided doses, at least 24 h apart, 14 days before surgery. The primary outcome measures were serum haemoglobin concentration, recorded at recruitment, immediately before surgery and at discharge, and perioperative blood transfusions. RESULTS: No difference was demonstrated between treatment groups (iron sucrose, 34 patients; placebo, 26) for any of the primary outcome measures, for either the whole study population or a subgroup of anaemic patients. CONCLUSION: This pilot study provided no support for the use of intravenous iron sucrose as a preoperative adjunct to increase preoperative haemoglobin levels and thereby reduce the likelihood of allogeneic blood transfusion for patients undergoing resectional surgery for colorectal cancer. Registration number: 2005-003608-13UK (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

Author information

Author/s: Edwards, T J (TJ); Noble, E J (EJ); Durran, A (A); Mellor, N (N); Hosie, K B (KB);

Affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The British journal of surgery (Br J Surg), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 96 (issue 10) : pp 1122-8

Dates: Created 2009/10/05; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19731228, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aged
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - prevention & control
Blood Transfusion - statistics & numerical data
Colorectal Neoplasms - surgery
Female
Ferric Compounds - administration & dosage
Ferritins - blood
Hematinics - administration & dosage
Hemoglobins - metabolism
Humans

Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Iron - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Postoperative Complications - prevention & control
Prospective Studies
Transferrin - metabolism
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult

Associated Chemicals: Ferric Compounds (0) ; Hematinics (0) ; Hemoglobins (0) ; Transferrin (11096-37-0) ; Iron (7439-89-6) ; ferric oxide, saccharated (8047-67-4) ; Ferritins (9007-73-2)

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