The Effect of Routine Maintenance Intravenous Therapy on Hemoglobin Concentration and Hematocrit during Anesthesia in Adults.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the decrease in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit during elective surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective study being performed in Nemazee Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. We included a total of 50 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I and II patients undergoing elective minor surgeries. Perioperative fluid administration was performed for all the patients and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured three times Once before the operation, once one hour after start of operation and once in the recovery room. Values were compared using paired sample t-test. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients and controls was 39.66 ± 8.27 years. Hemoglobin level decreases significantly after one hour (p<0.001) and after the end of operation (p<0.001). In the same way hematocrit level was decreased significantly after one hour (p<0.001) and after the end of operation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this patient population undergoing elective minor operations, there was significant decrease in the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in response to the IV fluids administration.