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AMBULATORY ANESTHESIA

The Prevalence and Significance of Low Preoperative Hemoglobin in ASA 1 or 2 Outpatient Surgery Candidates

Departmentof Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Health Technology Solutions, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ronald P. Olson, MD, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3094, Durham, NC 277l0, Telephone 919 684 2025 Fax 919 681 8484, e-mail olson012{at}mc.duke.edu

Asymptomatic anemia in healthy patients undergoing low risk surgery is rare. In this retrospective study, we examined the records of 9584 ASA class I–II patients scheduled for elective low risk surgery who had a preoperative hemoglobin (hgb) test for the presence of anemia. Hgb <9 g/dL was detected in 75 patients (0.8%). Perioperative management of anemia occurred in no cases of elective surgery in this group. Transfusion of red cells occurred in four other patients, all of whom had hgb >9 g/dL. In all cases, management decisions were based on clinical factors rather than the preoperative hemoglobin test. In healthy patients undergoing low risk elective surgery, routine preoperative hgb testing is not indicated.

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