A new study published in Clinical Spine Surgery examines the connection between blood transfusions and infection for patients undergoing major spinal deformity surgery.
The study authors examined 56 patients who underwent spinal fusions in eight or more levels. The study authors found:
1. Overall infection rates were 36 percent in the patients who underwent blood transfusion and 10 percent among patients who didn't.
2. Only patients who underwent blood transfusions reported wound infections, and smokers were more likely to have an infection as well as receive a transfusion.
3. The patients who had transfusions stayed in the hospital significantly longer than patients who didn't.
4. The study authors concluded, "Allogeneic red blood cell transfusion in major spine surgery could be a risk factor for postoperative infection."