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Journals / ACH Medical journal / 2025 / Volume: 4 Issue: 3

Frequency and indication of blood and blood product use in general surgery practice during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period

Metin Yalçın(Antalya Research and Training Hospital)0000-0003-2843-3556
Belkıs Koçtekin(Antalya Research and Training Hospital)0000-0001-5413-5523
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-09-30
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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with measurable shifts in blood product utilization patterns in general surgery, influenced by changes in surgical priorities and healthcare constraints.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Introductıon: This study aims to investigate whether there has been a measurable change in the use and indications of blood and blood products during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period Methods: A total of 1,050 patients were retrospectively analyzed, including 563 in the pre-pandemic period and 487 during the pandemic.
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Key Findings & Data:Results: The mean hemoglobin threshold for transfusion was significantly lower during the pandemic (7.9 ± 1.3 g/dL vs. 8.7 ± 1.8 g/dL, p < 0.001).
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with measurable shifts in blood product utilization patterns in general surgery, influenced by changes in surgical priorities and healthcare constraints.
🔬Design:Lab & Field Experiment
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Blood products · Blood transfusion · Pandemic

Abstract

Introductıon: This study aims to investigate whether there has been a measurable change in the use and indications of blood and blood products during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period Methods: A total of 1,050 patients were retrospectively analyzed, including 563 in the pre-pandemic period and 487 during the pandemic. Patients monitored for emergency benign diseases, elective benign diseases, trauma, transplantation, and malignancy were included in the study, while those with bleeding due to coagulopathy or suicide attempts were excluded. The blood products used included erythrocyte suspension, fresh frozen plasma, platelet apheresis, and pooled platelet suspension. Results: The mean hemoglobin threshold for transfusion was significantly lower during the pandemic (7.9 ± 1.3 g/dL vs. 8.7 ± 1.8 g/dL, p < 0.001). During the pandemic, there was a statistically significant shift in blood and blood product usage patterns among surgical patients. The proportion of patients receiving one-unit erythrocyte suspension increased (22.8% vs. 12.6%, p < 0.001), while two-unit transfusions decreased. FFP use declined, it increased significantly in emergency benign diseases, colorectal/GI surgery, surgical debridement, and transplantation. Apheresis platelet transfusions increased during the pandemic (3.1% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.005), while pooled platelet use remained unchanged. Mortality was higher during the pandemic (12.5% vs. 9.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with measurable shifts in blood product utilization patterns in general surgery, influenced by changes in surgical priorities and healthcare constraints.

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Cite This Article

Yalçın, M., Koçtekin, B. (2025). Frequency and indication of blood and blood product use in general surgery practice during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. ACH Medical journal, Volume: 4 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.5505/achmedj.2025.32032

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