Anemia and Surgery

Anemia is defined as a health condition in which our body do not have enough red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood to carry the function of delivery oxygen and nutrient to the tissue, including organs and cells. To read more about Anemia, click here
People with anemia are at risk during and after surgery due to not enough of red blood cells and sometime it can cause perioperative anemia as a result of losing too much blood, leading to insufficient hemoglobin to carry oxygen and nutrients for our body's organs and cells need.

1. Benefit of treating Anemia before surgery
If you are required surgery for whatever reasons, there are something you should consider to prevent complication during and after surgery.
Increase your red blood cells count or raise level of hemoglobin will reduce the need for blood transfusion during surgery, especial surgery that result in heavy blood loss.
1. Intake of foods with rich of folate, vitamin B12 and iron such as peas, lentil, soybeans and chickpeas, etc.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for the absorption of iron by increasing intake of vitamin C rich vegetables and fruits such as kiwi fruit, strawberries, and cantaloupes.
To increase to red blood cells, your doctor may prescribe
3. Vitamin pills
Folate, Vitamin B12, vitamin C and iron
4. Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agents
ESAs are given by injection or intravenously (through an IV) to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, thus raising the level of hemoglobin.
5. Contraceptive pill
Women who take the pill have reduced bleeding during period.
6. Etc.

It is important that you increase your red red blood cells well before the surgery to avoid the needs of blood transfusion, staying in hospital longer and decreasing the speed of healing of your incision and surgery.

Types of blood transfusion if necessary
You surgeon will suggest some of the best options for blood transfusion if necessary during surgery, please make sure you well understood and make your choice
1. Autologous transfusion
This may be a good choice, it is a blood transfusion that uses you own blood that has been previous stored, donated before the surgery, during an operation or post-operation.
2. Allogeneic transfusion
The type of blood transfusion with the use of donated blood
3. Collect and return
With the use of a special medical machine to collect your blood during or before surgery, then return them to your body following surgery.
4. Etc.

Blood loss minimization
Minimizing blood loss is always be considered for the best of the patient, especially for patience with anemia.
1. Lower blood pressure
Lower blood pressure helps to slower the blood flow, thus reducing the blood loss during surgery.
2. Position you body to reduce the blood flow, thus reducing the blood loss during surgery.
3. Using special medical instruments to minimize incision and control blood loss.
Etc.

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