World journal of surgery
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World journal of surgery · Jan 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRecombinant human erythropoietin and hemoglobin concentration at operation and during the postoperative period: reduced need for blood transfusions in patients undergoing colorectal surgery--prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study we investigated the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), on the perioperative hemoglobin concentration and the use of blood transfusions in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery with a preoperative hemoglobin level =8.5 mmol/L. Altogether 100 were included, and 81 patients could be evaluated. A total of 38 patients received r-HuEPO in a dose of 300 IU/kg body weight on day 4 before surgery and 150 IU/kg daily for the following 7 days; 43 patients received placebo. ⋯ The number of blood transfusions given was significantly lower in the erythropoietin group, with a mean of 0.3 (range 0-6) units compared to 1.6 (0-9) units in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the hemoglobin concentration at the time of surgery and during the week following surgery was significantly higher in the group of patients receiving r-HuEPO perioperatively compared to the placebo group together with a significant lower use of blood transfusions in the r-HuEPO group. However, the clinical implications of these findings has yet to be proven.