The Effect of Preoperative Anemia on Hiatal Hernia Surgery and Postoperative Complications.

Aim: Anemia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in all patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed to reveal to what extent anemia caused postoperative complications before hiatal hernia surgery. Material and Methods: One hundred and ninety-two patients operated for hiatal hernia in our clinic between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were compared according to demographics, preoperative laboratory values, preoperative Charlson comorbidity index score, hiatal hernia type, postoperative intensive care requirement, presence of postoperative complications, Clavien-Dindo score, blood transfusion need, and length of hospital stay. Results: Of the patients, 109 were female and 83 were male. The mean age was 50.1±9.1 years. Fifty-four (28.2%) of the patients were in the anemic group, and 138 (71.8%) were in the non-anemic group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of gender distribution (p=0.663). When the groups were compared in terms of age distribution, it was found that the anemic group was older than the non-anemic group and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the postoperative complications rate and it was more common in the anemic group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the need for intensive care and blood transfusion in the postoperative period (p=0.020, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Preoperative anemia increases postoperative complications in hiatal hernia surgery. Therefore, the presence of anemia should be investigated before hiatal hernia surgery and patients with anemia should be followed up closely postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]