Does Postoperative Erythropoietin Reduce Transfusions and Hemodynamic Instability Following Liposuction, Either Alone or Associated with Abdominoplasty or Mammaplasty? A Comparative, Prospective Study of 50 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Introduction

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor and an alternative to avoid blood transfusion in high-blood-loss surgeries. We evaluate EPO efficacy to reduce clinically relevant anemia and dehydration in patients undergoing liposuction.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 50 consecutive patients subjected to liposuction greater than 2.5 L and alternately assigned into two comparable groups (25 patients each), except for the postoperative administration of erythropoietin (4000 UI per day subcutaneously) during five consecutive days. Incidence data for blood transfusion or parenteral hydration were collected. Statistical analyses were performed with significance at p value <5%.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups related to any preoperative feature or the incidence of dehydration (p = 0.1099) or transfusion (p = 1.0).

Conclusion

Postoperative erythropoietin administration was not effective in preventing blood transfusion for anemia or parenteral hydration for hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing major liposuction.

Level of Evidence III

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