DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znad258.738 ISSN:

959 Is It Necessary to Repeatedly Check Haemoglobin Following Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)?

A Msellati, C O'Connor, P Collins, M Hegazy, E O'Beirne, D Galvin, N Hegarty, S Connolly, G Nason, K O'Malley
  • Surgery

Abstract

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to examine the necessity for routine post-operative haemoglobin (Hb) checks for patients undergoing RARP.

Method

Between April 2019 and March 2022, 155 patients underwent RARP. Demographic and clinical variables were collated including blood loss, pre-operative and post-operative Hb checks, need for transfusion and length of stay (LOS).

Paired samples t-tests were undertaken to compare mean pre-operative and post-operative Hb results.

Results

The mean age of patient was 62 years (range 45-79). The mean blood loss was 281.2mls (range 50-1000). There was a statistically significant drop between pre-operative and day 1 post-operative Hb (p<0.001) (15.07 to 12.97) (mean drop of 2.2g/dl). There was not a statistically significant drop between day 1 and day 2 post-operative bloods (p = 0.547) (mean 0.13g/dl). No patient required a blood transfusion. The mean LOS was 2.4 days (range 1-16).

Conclusions

Blood loss at RARP is low and unlikely of clinical significance. Following a Hb check on post-operative day one, further routine bloods are unnecessary in the absence of a clinical concern.

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