Blood Transfusions in Major Pancreatic Surgery: A 10-Year Cohort Study Including 1404 Patients Undergoing Pancreatic Resections in Finland:

Background:Despite guidelines on blood transfusion (TF) thresholds, there seems to be great variation in transfusion policies between hospitals and surgeons. In order to improve and unify blood transfusion policies, the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service carried out a project concerning the optimal use of blood products (Verivalmisteiden optimaalinen kaytto) between 2002 and 2011. In this study, we determined the blood transfusion trends in major pancreatic surgery in Finland.Methods:Initially, 1337 patients who underwent major pancreatic resections between 2002 and 2011 were classified into the TF+ or TF− groups. Centers were divided into high-, medium-, and low-volume centers. The blood transfusion trends and the trigger points for blood transfusions in these patients were determined.Results:There were no differences between high-, medium- and low-volume centers in blood usage, trigger points or the use of reserved blood units after pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. However, the trigger points...