Assessment of Pre-operative Group and Save Testing in Cholecystectomy

This research article presents a retrospective cohort study assessing the routine pre-operative group and save (G&S) testing in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. The study examines the frequency of G&S testing, the rates of peri-operative blood transfusion, and the pre-operative risk factors associated with the need for transfusion. A total of 453 health records were reviewed, revealing that only 1.1% of patients required a blood transfusion within 30 days post-operatively, with no cases needing uncrossmatched blood. The study identifies that patients requiring transfusions tended to have higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades and more frequent prior emergency hospital visits due to gallstone complications. Logistic regression analysis indicated that each prior emergency attendance increased the odds of requiring a transfusion significantly. The findings suggest that routine G&S testing may not be necessary for all patients undergoing this procedure, and a more selective approach could lead to financial savings for healthcare institutions without compromising patient safety.