Perioperative blood transfusions for vein resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Identification of clinical targets for optimization

Background: Perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) during resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been linked to worse short-term and oncologic outcomes. However, little is known about contemporary rates of transfusion utilization among patients requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein resection (PDVR). The primary aims of this study were to evaluate rates of PBT and to identify modifiable factors associated with PBT during PDVR. Methods: Patients with PDAC treated with preoperative therapy and PDVR (2008–15) were analyzed from a prospective, single-institution database. Results: Among 120 total patients, approximately half (52.5%) of all patients received PBT; rates decreased significantly in the most recent years [70.7%, 2008–10 vs. 36.8%, 2014–15 (p = 0.013)]. Lower preoperative hemoglobin, greater intraoperative percent drop in hemoglobin, increased EBL, and advanced age were all associated with PBT (p < 0.01). The only factors independently associated with PBT by multivariable analysis were age [OR-1.08 per year (95% CI 1.02–1.14)] and EBL [OR-1.30 per 100 mL, (95% CI 1.13–1.50)]. Conclusion: PBT for PDVR for PDAC have decreased, with only 1/3 of contemporary patients requiring PBT. As preoperative therapy and PDVR become more ubiquitous, addressing anemia during preoperative therapy and limiting EBL may reduce blood utilization. Re-evaluation of clinical thresholds for transfusions may further reduce transfusion rates.