Purpose: Studies in the adult literature suggest that preoperative laboratory investigations and cross-match are performed unnecessarily and rarely lead to changes in clinical management. The purposes of this study were the following: (1) to explore whether preoperative laboratory investigations in neurosurgical children alter clinical management and (2) to determine the utilization of cross-matched blood perioperatively in elective pediatric neurosurgical cases.
Methods: We reviewed pediatric patient charts for elective neurosurgery procedures (June 2010-June 2014) at out institution. Variables collected include preoperative complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, coagulation, group and screen, and cross-match. A goal of the review was to identify instances of altered clinical management, as a consequence of preoperative blood work. The number of cross-matched blood units transfused perioperatively was also determined.
Results: Four hundred seventy-seven electively scheduled pediatric neurosurgical patients were reviewed. Preoperative CBC was done on 294, and 39.8 % had at least one laboratory abnormality. Electrolytes (84 patients) and coagulation panels (241 patients) were abnormal in 23.8 and 24.5 %, respectively. The preoperative investigations led to a change in clinical management in three patients, two of which were associated with significant past medical history. Group and screen test was performed in 62.5 % of patients and 57.9 % had their blood cross-matched. Perioperative blood transfusions (71 % of these patients were under 3 years of age) were received by 3.6 % of patients (17/477). The cross-match to transfusion ratio was 16.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the results of preoperative laboratory exams have limited value, apart from cases with oncology and complex preexisting conditions. Additionally, cross-matching might be excessively conducted in elective pediatric neurosurgical cases.