The treatment of post-operative anaemia

ABSTRACT

The treatment of 35 patinets with ruptured tubal pregnancy who had undergone salpingectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy, with iron dextran infusion is described. The necessity for treatment was evidence of iron deficiency and a haemoglobin of between 8 and 10 g/100 ml. Dosage of iron dextran was calculated from a formula supplied by the makers of the preparation. The haemoglobin levels rose in all cases by from 2 to 4.1 g percent. Side effects were minimal. At follow-up no patient had a haemoglobin level below 11 g percent. It is suggested that unless blood replacement is an immediate necessity because of shock or severly low haemoglobin levels, infusion of iron dextran is a reliable procedure in the management of post-operative anaemia. (Summary)