THE USE OF AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD TRANSFUSION IN DIGESTIVE TRACT SURGERY: A LITERATURE REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: The use of autologous blood transfusion in digestive tract surgeries, whether after preoperative blood collection or intraoperative blood salvage, is an alternative to allogeneic blood, which brings with it certain risks and shortage, due to the lack of donors. Studies have shown lower mortality and longer survival associated with autologous blood, however the theoretical possibility of spreading metastatic disease is still one of the limiting factors of its use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of autologous transfusion in digestive tract surgeries, noting the benefits, damages and effects on the spread of metastatic disease. METHODS: This is an integrative review of the literature available in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library and SciELO databases, by searching for "Autologous Blood Transfusion AND Gastrointestinal Surgical Procedures". Observational and experimental studies and guidelines published in the last five years in Portuguese, English or Spanish were included. RESULTS: Not all patients benefit from blood collection before elective procedures, with the time of surgery and hemoglobin levels some of the factors that may indicate the need for preoperative storage. Regarding the intraoperative salvaged blood, it was observed that there is no increased risk of tumor recurrence, but the importance of using leukocyte filters and blood irradiation is highlighted. There was no consensus among the studies whether there is a maintenance or reduction of complication rates compared to allogeneic blood. The cost related to the use of autologous blood may be higher, and the less stringent selection criteria prevent it from being added to the general donation pool. CONCLUSION: There were no objective and concordant answers among the studies, but the strong evidence of less recurrence of digestive tumors, the possibility of changes in morbidity and mortality, and the reduction of costs with patients suggest that the practice of autologous blood transfusion should be encouraged in digestive tract surgeries. It is necessary to note if the deleterious effects would stand out amidst the possible benefits to the patient and to health care systems.

O uso da transfusão sanguínea autóloga na cirurgia do aparelho digestivo: uma revisão de literatura / The use of autologous blood transfusion in digestive tract surgery: a literature review

ABSTRACT Background: The use of autologous blood transfusion in digestive tract surgeries, whether after preoperative blood collection or intraoperative blood salvage, is an alternative to allogeneic blood, which brings with it certain risks and shortage, due to the lack of donors. Studies have shown lower mortality and longer survival associated with autologous blood, however the theoretical possibility of spreading metastatic disease is still one of the limiting factors of its use. Objective: To evaluate the application of autologous transfusion in digestive tract surgeries, noting the benefits, damages and effects on the spread of metastatic disease. Methods: This is an integrative review of the literature available in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library and SciELO databases, by searching for "Autologous Blood Transfusion AND Gastrointestinal Surgical Procedures". Observational and experimental studies and guidelines published in the last five years in Portuguese, English or Spanish were included. Results: Not all patients benefit from blood collection before elective procedures, with the time of surgery and hemoglobin levels some of the factors that may indicate the need for preoperative storage. Regarding the intraoperative salvaged blood, it was observed that there is no increased risk of tumor recurrence, but the importance of using leukocyte filters and blood irradiation is highlighted. There was no consensus among the studies whether there is a maintenance or reduction of complication rates compared to allogeneic blood. The cost related to the use of autologous blood may be higher, and the less stringent selection criteria prevent it from being added to the general donation pool. Conclusion: There were no objective and concordant answers among the studies, but the strong evidence of less recurrence of digestive tumors, the possibility of changes in morbidity and mortality, and the reduction of costs with patients suggest that the practice of autologous blood transfusion should be encouraged in digestive tract surgeries. It is necessary to note if the deleterious effects would stand out amidst the possible benefits to the patient and to health care systems.

RESUMO Contexto: O emprego da transfusão sanguínea autóloga nas cirurgias do aparelho digestivo, seja através da coleta de sangue no pré-operatório ou da recuperação de sangue no intraoperatório, é uma alternativa ao sangue alogênico, que traz consigo determinados riscos e a escassez, pela falta de doadores. Estudos têm demonstrado menor mortalidade e maior sobrevida associadas ao sangue autólogo, no entanto a possibilidade teórica de propagação de doença metastática ainda é um dos fatores limitantes do seu uso. Objetivo: Avaliar a aplicação da transfusão autóloga em cirurgias do aparelho digestivo, observando os benefícios, prejuízos e efeitos sobre a propagação de doenças metastáticas. Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura disponível nas bases de dados PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e SciELO, através da busca por "Autologous Blood Transfusion AND Gastrointestinal Surgical Procedures". Foram incluídos estudos observacionais e experimentais e guidelines publicados nos últimos 5 anos, nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol. Resultados: Nem todos os pacientes beneficiam-se da coleta de sangue antes de procedimentos eletivos, sendo o tempo de cirurgia e os níveis de hemoglobina alguns dos fatores que podem indicar a necessidade do armazenamento pré-operatório. Em relação ao sangue recuperado no intraoperatório, observou-se que não há maior risco de recorrência de tumores, mas destaca-se a importância do uso de filtros leucocitários e irradiação sanguínea. Não houve consenso entre os estudos se há uma manutenção ou redução das taxas de complicação, em comparação com o sangue alogênico. O custo relacionado ao uso de sangue autólogo pode ser maior, além de os critérios de seleção menos rigorosos impedirem que seja adicionado ao pool geral de doações. Conclusão: Não houve respostas objetivas e concordantes entre os estudos, mas os fortes indícios da menor recorrência de tumores digestivos, a possibilidade de alterações na morbimortalidade e a redução dos custos com os pacientes sugerem que a prática da transfusão sanguínea autóloga seja fomentada nas cirurgias do aparelho digestivo. É necessário observar se os efeitos deletérios se destacariam em meio aos possíveis benefícios ao paciente e aos sistemas de saúde.