The effect of anemia severity on postoperative morbidity among patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications.

This is a very well-designed retrospective study using a large American surgical database (NISQP) reporting the a high incidence of anaemia (19.5%) in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic hysterectomy. The following factors were associated with a high risk of preoperative anaemia: higher body mass index, younger age, Black or African American race, longer operative times, and multiple other medical comorbidities.

The take-home message is that preoperative anaemia is independently associated with morbidity, extended length of stay, readmission and composite increased morbidity after surgery in these women presenting for elective laparoscopic hysterectomy. This important report adds to the wealth of data on the negative impact of preoperative anaemia on patient mortality and morbidity in our surgical patients.

– Susan M. Goobie (SABM reviewer)