Non-Epistaxis related RBC Transfusions
Between 2015 and 2019, the number of units transfused decreased or remained constant for all non-epistaxis related transfusions, except in “Post-Other Head and Neck surgery” which increased from 1 to 8 units in 2018 to 2019. This was due to an oesophageal perforation case requiring 6 units and 2 thyroidectomy cases requiring a unit each. “Post-HNC surgery with reconstruction” RBC units transfused remained constant between 2015-2018 and dropped in 2019. These cases required the most units when compared with other non-epistaxis related transfusions. Comparatively, “Post-HNC surgery without reconstruction” saw a decrease from 9 to 2 units from 2015 to 2019, with 0 units transfused in 2018. “Post-tonsillectomy bleed” transfusions reduced from 2 to 0 units between 2015 and 2019. 2 cases of temporal bone resection and fascia lata grafts had pre-operative transfusions despite a Hb of >70g/dl. 1 total thyroidectomy case received 1 RBC unit for pre-operative haemoglobin optimisation with a Hb of 74. The 3 cases of “acute blood loss secondary to H&N cancer” included patients bleeding from recurrent cancer in the tonsil, tongue base and oropharynx. “Non-ENT (anaemia)” blood transfusions included 4 patients with known chronic anaemia, a patient with suspected bleeding from diverticular disease and another with an upper gastrointestinal bleed.