OBJECTIVETo evaluate preoperative application of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in reducing transfusion requirements in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to December 2013,442 cases of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were retrospectively reviewed. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 119 cases were eventually included and divided into the treatment group and the control group. There were 12 males and 40 females, with a mean age (71.4 ± 12.8) years old, and the patients received preoperative administration of rHuEPO 10,000 U qod combined with iron dextran 200 mg (3 times each day). While 16 males and 51 females in control group, with a mean age (70.9 ± 16.2) years old, and the patients only received preoperative administration of iron dextran 200 mg (3 times each day). All the patients received closed reduction and PFNA-II or Internal fixation surgeries. The perioperative blood transfusion rate, average amount of blood transfusion, postoperative complications, the length of hospital stay and mortality within 30 days were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no statistical differences between two groups in the baseline indexes (P > 0.05). Overall,71 of 119 patients (59.7%) received at least one unit allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT). However,there were significant differences in perioperative ABT rates (48.1% vs 68.7%, χ2 = 4.77, P < 0.05) and the average amount of blood transfusion between treatment group and control group, which were (1.8 ± 0.4) U/pte vs (3.6 ± 1.1) U/pte (t = 2.244, P < 0.05). Postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) on postoperative days 7 and 30 was higher in treatment group than that in control group. In addition, in treatment group, Hb levels were higher on postoperative day 30 than those on admission, which were (128.2 ± 20.6) g/L vs (118.2 ± 18.9) g/L (t = 2.133, P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in postoperative complications, the length of hospital stay and mortality within 30 days.

CONCLUSIONFor elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures undergoing elective surgery, preoperative application of rHuEPO can significantly reduce perioperative transfusion requirements, and is likely to reduce ABT-related infection, but its long-term safety remains to be evaluated.