Single dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose infusion versus multiple fractionated doses of intravenous iron sucrose in the treatment of postoperative anaemia in colorectal cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) often present with associated anaemia which is usually present at the time of diagnosis and is aggravated during the postoperative period due to blood loss during the surgery process. Several guidelines advocate for the treatment of postoperative anaemia in these patients in order to prevent complications and allogeneic blood transfusions. However, there are no publications to shed light on the effectiveness of intravenous iron (IVI) administration after CRC surgery and the optimal dose and regimen. We have started a clinical trial with the objective of comparing the effectiveness of 1000 mg of ferric carboxymaltose with fractionated iron sucrose 200 g/48 h for the treatment of postoperative anaemia, by measuring the change of haemoglobin (Hb) levels from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 30. Methods We designed an open label randomised controlled trial to compare two postoperative IVI treatment regimens. Patients aged > 18 years undergoing CRC surgery, with Hb