Preoperative anemia: a common finding that predicts worse outcomes in patients undergoing primary hiatal hernia repair

BackgroundThe increased incidence of anemia in patients with hiatal hernias (HH) and resolution of anemia after HH repair (HHR) have been clearly demonstrated. However, the implications of preoperative anemia on postoperative outcomes have not been well described. In this study, we aimed to identify the incidence of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing primary HHR at our institution and sought to determine whether preoperative anemia had an impact on postoperative outcomes.MethodsUsing our IRB-approved institutional HH database, we retrospectively identified patients undergoing primary HHR between January 2011 and April 2017at our institution. We identified patients with anemia, defined as serum hemoglobin levels less than 13mg/dL in men and 12mg/dL in women, measured within two weeks prior to surgery, and compared this group to a cohort of patients with normal preoperative hemoglobin. Perioperative outcomes analyzed included estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, perioperative blood transfusions, failed postoperative extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day readmission. Outcomes were compared by univariable and multivariable analyses, with significance set at p<0.05.ResultsWe identified 263 patients undergoing HHR. The median age was 66years and most patients were female (78%, n=206). Seventy patients (27%) were anemic. In unadjusted analyses, anemia was significantly associated with failed postoperative extubation (7 vs. 2%, p=0.03), ICU admission (13 vs. 5%, p=0.03), postoperative blood transfusions (9 vs. 0%, p<0.01), and postoperative complications (41 vs. 18%, p<0.01). On adjusted multivariable analysis, anemia was associated with 2.6-fold greater odds of postoperative complications (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.36-4.86; p<0.01).ConclusionsIn this study, anemia had a prevalence of 27% in patients undergoing primary HHR. Anemic patients had 2.6-fold greater odds of developing postoperative complications. Anemia is common in patients undergoing primary HHR and warrants consideration for treatment prior to elective repair.