Background
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal death in all regions of the world. Intra-operative red blood cell transfusion is one of the most effective strategies to treat PPH. However, the effect of blood transfusion on patients undergoing cesarean section remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a intra-operative blood transfusion on systemic immune indicators and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing cesarean section.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled patients undergoing cesarean section between January 2016 and June 2020. We divided these patients into two groups according to whether they received a intraoperative blood transfusion. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups. After propensity score matching, the length of stay (LOS), perioperative systemic inflammation-based scores, and postoperative complications were compared. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the associations between covariates and outcomes.
Results
A total of 1221 patients were enrolled. After propensity score matching, a significant difference in LOS was observed between groups (4.2days vs. 6.6days, P=0.026). The postoperative complication rate in the blood transfusion (BT) group was significantly higher than that in the non-blood transfusion(NBT) group (vomiting, 3.2% vs. 4.9%, P=0.032; fever, 5.41% vs. 2.24%, P=0.032; wound complications, 15.44% vs. 10.45%, P=0.028; intestinal obstructions, 5.88% vs. 2.75%, P=0.034, respectively). The systemic inflammatory indicators fluctuated significantly in the BT group compared with the NBT group on POD1 and POD3. The multivariate analysis indicated that intra-operative blood transfusion was associated with a longer LOS (hazard ratio: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 2.25).
Conclusions
A intra-operative blood transfusion was associated with fluctuations in systemic inflammatory indicators, higher postoperative complication rates and a prolonged length of stay.