Is routine blood cross-matching necessary in elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Abstract Background Routine pre-operative cross-matching of two units of packed red cells (PRC) is current practice in most hospitals for patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS). Aims To determine the usage of PRC in patients undergoing elective LCS & its cost implications. Methods Retrospective analysis of 116 consecutive laparoscopic colorectal resections under the care of 2 consultant surgeons. Results Surgical procedures were anterior resection (31.9%; n  = 37), right hemicolectomy (22.4%; n  = 26), sigmoid colectomy (22.4%; n-26), subtotal colectomy (7.8%; n  = 9), APR (4.3%; n  = 5), panproctocolectomy (3.4%; n  = 4), completion proctectomy (1.7%, n  = 2), left hemicolectomy (0.9%, n  = 1), total colectomy (0.9%; n  = 1) & resection rectopexy (0.9%; n  = 1). The median age was 65 years, 58% female. The median pre-operative haemoglobin was 131 g/L, median blood loss 100 ml and median post-operative haemoglobin 111.5 g/L. Eleven cases were converted. Three patients required perioperative blood transfusion, 2 of whom underwent open conversion. The cost of carrying out a group & save (G&S) in our hospital is £40.60 excluding laboratory staff labour cost. A 2 unit cross-match costs £294.60. There is potential for substantial cost savings with change of practice to G&S only. Conclusion G&S is sufficient to allow safe & cost-effective operative practice in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.