Impact of a Transfusion-free Program on Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) often require transfusion. However, transfusion-related complications and decreased blood donation in Korea encourage the development of new treatment strategies for PD patients. Although transfusion-free (TF) operation is thought to be beneficial, results supporting its beneficial effects are lacking. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the impact on PD patients of a TF program. From December 2003 to April 2013, 80 consecutive patients with periampullary lesions underwent PD performed. These patients were divided into two groups as follows: 39 PD patients in the "before TF program" (Group 1) and 41 PD patients in the "after TF program" (Group 2). Among patients in Group 2, patients who agreed with the TF program were enrolled and proceed with the TF program prospectively. Participants in the TF program had perioperative blood augmentation and intraoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution. The perioperative data were compared with the two groups. The mean preoperative hemoglobin, operative times, and operative blood loss showed no significance between two groups. The mean postoperative hemoglobin was lower in Group 2 (11.7 g/dL vs 10.9 g/dL, P = 0.038). The mean amount of blood transfusion was significantly lower in Group 2. (950.8 mL vs 124.9 mL, P = 0.009). The TF program considerably decreases the amount of perioperative blood transfusion. The overall perioperative course and complication rate in the TF group were not inferior to those in the non-TF group. The TF program appears safe and should be considered in PD patients.

ERRATUM: Correction of the 1st and 2nd authors' affiliation: Transfusion free radical antegrade modular pancreaticosplenectomy of metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas in Jehovah's Witness patient.

[This corrects the article on p. 106 in vol. 88, PMID: 25692122.].

Transfusion free radical antegrade modular pancreaticosplenectomy of metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas in Jehovah's Witness patient.

In a popular sense, Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) have their creeds, one of which is refusal of blood transfusion. Such refusal may impinge on their proper management, especially in critical situations. We present a case of successful bloodless multimodality therapy, which was performed for a JW. The patient was a 49-year-old woman and JW who had general weakness 7 days before admission. She was diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) with hepatic metastases. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and Sandostatin LAR injection were performed, and then she was given a transfusion-free Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy sequentially. We gave recombinant human erythropoietin and iron hydroxide sucrose complex daily for five days after surgery. She was discharged at postoperative day 12 without any surgical complications. Multimodality therapy is very important for optimal treatment of PNET. Along with intimate interdepartmental cooperation, careful patient selection and appropriate perioperative management could possibly enhance the surgical outcome.