BLOOD-TRANSFUSIONS AND POSTOPERATIVE WOUND-INFECTION

Background. Several studies have suggested an association between bloo d transfusions and infection in surgical patients. However, previous r eports have not documented the relationship of transfusion to specific infection sites and have not adequately explored the importance of ti ming and type of blood product. Methods. We reviewed the records of al l patients undergoing operation for colon cancer at a large community hospital during the years 1974 to 1987. Data on hospital wound and oth er infections, wound infection risk factors, and type and timing of tr ansfusions were analyzed. Results. Increased wound infection rates wer e associated with administration of both whole blood and packed red bl ood cells. However, multivariate analysis suggested that only the admi nistration of packed red cells after operation independently predicted wound infections. Other independent variables were the presence of a colostomy and/or drain. A highly predictive model for wound infection was constructed with these three variables. Conclusions. Blood transfu sions, especially with packed red cells, after operation are an indepe ndent risk factor for wound infection.