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Association between blood transfusions and complications in head and neck reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the correlation between blood transfusions and the medical/surgical complications after head and neck reconstructive surgery.

Methods

The PRISMA protocol was used and the literature search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to March 13, 2020. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed through the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

Results

A total of 1219 records were screened after the electronic search, 22 of which were included in the qualitative analysis. Of there 22 scores, 18 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The OR for medical and surgical complications of transfused patients was 1,64 (95% CI 1.23–2.21); while, the OR for hospital readmission was 1.53 (95% CI 1.29–1.81).

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis suggested that blood transfusions are associated with both an increased risk of surgical and medical complications of head and neck flaps and with the hospital readmission.

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy

    Francesco Giovacchini

  2. Paediatric Dentistry Post-Graduate School, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, Italy

    Caterina Bensi

  3. S.S.D. of Oral Surgery and Ambulatory, Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Piazza Menghini 1, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy

    Daniele Paradiso

  4. Paediatric Dentistry, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, Italy

    Raffaella Docimo

  5. Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    Antonio Tullio

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  1. Francesco Giovacchini
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  4. Raffaella Docimo
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Correspondence to Caterina Bensi.

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Giovacchini, F., Bensi, C., Paradiso, D. et al. Association between blood transfusions and complications in head and neck reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 2171–2185 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06286-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06286-z

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