The Relationship Between the Number of Blood Gauze Consumed and Hemoglobin Drop in Craniotomy Surgeries

Background and Aim: One of the common complications in craniotomy surgery is bleeding, which is associated with serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. It is essential to accurately estimate the amount of blood lost and compensate for it. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between suctioned blood volume, blood gauze volume, and hemoglobin (Hb) drop rate after craniotomy surgery and identify factors affecting it in hospitalized patients. The results of this research can help doctors accurately predict the amount of blood loss during the operation and avoid unnecessary blood transfusions. Methods and Materials/Patients: Ninety-seven patients with a history of craniotomy surgery in the first 6 months of 2019 were included in the study. The information on the patients was recorded based on laboratory documentation. To calculate the volume of blood lost during the operation, the volume of blood suctioned from the operation description sheet and the volume of blood absorbed by gauzes were calculated and recorded by weighing them. Data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 22. Results: In this study, 32% of patients received blood during craniotomy. According to the obtained results, the blood volume obtained from blood gauze and suctioned blood and the total blood volume were significantly related to Hb drop, and their ability to predict Hb drop were 6.6%, 14.1%, and 11.2%, respectively. Based on Spearman’s correlation coefficient, the intensity of the correlation between the number of blood gauzes and the amount of blood obtained from blood gauzes was greater than the change in the volume of blood sucked and the amount of total bleeding. Conclusion: This study showed that measuring the blood volume of gauze consumed in craniotomy surgery can be more effective in predicting the amount of blood loss and Hb drop of the patient after the operation even than the amount of suctioned blood.