BACKGROUND: This study described the prevalence of bleeding complications necessitating blood transfusion across plastic surgery procedures and identified those procedures that may be associated with higher rates of bleeding. METHODS: The authors retrospectively identified patients who suffered from postoperative bleeding complications from 2010 to 2015 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. This is defined by the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program as the need for transfusion of at least one unit of packed or whole red blood cells. Patient characteristics were described using summary statistics, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and univariate analysis of patient characteristics and bleeding complications was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 1955 of 95,687 patients experienced bleeding complications. Patients with bleeding complications were more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, have a longer total operative time, and have a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder. The most common primary plastic surgery procedure associated with bleeding complications was breast reconstruction with a free flap, and breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap had the highest rate of bleeding. A return to the operating room was required in 539 patients (27.6 percent) who suffered a postoperative bleeding complication. Patients with a preexisting bleeding disorder [n = 1407 (1.5 percent)] were more likely to be diabetic, have a lower preoperative hematocrit, and have a longer operative time. In addition, these patients were more likely to suffer from other nonbleeding complications (1.29 percent versus 0.35 percent; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Complex procedures (i.e., free flap breast reconstruction) have a higher prevalence of bleeding requiring a transfusion. Furthermore, patients undergoing combined procedures-specifically, breast oncologic and reconstructive cases-may be at a higher risk for experiencing bleeding-related complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.
BACKGROUND: This study described the prevalence of bleeding complications necessitating blood transfusion across plastic surgery procedures and identified those procedures that may be associated with higher rates of bleeding. METHODS: The authors retrospectively identified patients who suffered from postoperative bleeding complications from 2010 to 2015 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. This is defined by the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program as the need for transfusion of at least one unit of packed or whole red blood cells. Patient characteristics were described using summary statistics, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and univariate analysis of patient characteristics and bleeding complications was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 1955 of 95,687 patients experienced bleeding complications. Patients with bleeding complications were more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, have a longer total operative time, and have a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder. The most common primary plastic surgery procedure associated with bleeding complications was breast reconstruction with a free flap, and breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap had the highest rate of bleeding. A return to the operating room was required in 539 patients (27.6 percent) who suffered a postoperative bleeding complication. Patients with a preexisting bleeding disorder [n = 1407 (1.5 percent)] were more likely to be diabetic, have a lower preoperative hematocrit, and have a longer operative time. In addition, these patients were more likely to suffer from other nonbleeding complications (1.29 percent versus 0.35 percent; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Complex procedures (i.e., free flap breast reconstruction) have a higher prevalence of bleeding requiring a transfusion. Furthermore, patients undergoing combined procedures-specifically, breast oncologic and reconstructive cases-may be at a higher risk for experiencing bleeding-related complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.