Minimizing Blood Loss in Spine Surgery.

TitleMinimizing Blood Loss in Spine Surgery.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsMikhail C, Pennington Z, Arnold PM, Brodke DS, Chapman JR, Chutkan N, Daubs MD, DeVine JG, Fehlings MG, Gelb DE, Ghobrial GM, Harrop JS, Hoelscher C, Jiang F, Knightly JJ, Kwon BK, Mroz TE, Nassr A, K Riew D, Sekhon LH, Smith JS, Traynelis VC, Wang JC, Weber MH, Wilson JR, Witiw CD, Sciubba DM, Cho SK
JournalGlobal Spine J
Volume10
Issue1 Suppl
Pagination71S-83S
Date Published2020 Jan
ISSN2192-5682
Abstract

Study Design: Broad narrative review.

Objective: To review and summarize the current literature on guidelines, outcomes, techniques and indications surrounding multiple modalities of minimizing blood loss in spine surgery.

Methods: A thorough review of peer-reviewed literature was performed on the guidelines, outcomes, techniques, and indications for multiple modalities of minimizing blood loss in spine surgery.

Results: There is a large body of literature that provides a consensus on guidelines regarding the appropriate timing of discontinuation of anticoagulation, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and herbal supplements prior to surgery. Additionally, there is a more heterogenous discussion the utility of preoperative autologous blood donation facilitated by erythropoietin and iron supplementation for healthy patients slated for procedures with high anticipated blood loss and for whom allogeneic transfusion is likely. Intraoperative maneuvers available to minimize blood loss include positioning and maintaining normothermia. Tranexamic acid (TXA), bipolar sealer electrocautery, and topical hemostatic agents, and hypotensive anesthesia (mean arterial pressure (MAP) <65 mm Hg) should be strongly considered in cases with larger exposures and higher anticipated blood loss. There is strong level 1 evidence for the use of TXA in spine surgery as it reduces the overall blood loss and transfusion requirements.

Conclusion: As the volume and complexity of spinal procedures rise, intraoperative blood loss management has become a pivotal topic of research within the field. There are many tools for minimizing blood loss in patients undergoing spine surgery. The current literature supports combining techniques to use a cost- effective multimodal approach to minimize blood loss in the perioperative period.

DOI10.1177/2192568219868475
Alternate JournalGlobal Spine J
PubMed ID31934525
PubMed Central IDPMC6947684