[Anaemia, iron, transfusion and therapeutic alternatives. A review from a surgical perspective].

Anemia is very common entity or comorbidity in surgical patients. Its management involves a multidisciplinary approach with the aim of optimizing the available therapeutic resources with individualized care for each clinical situation. Rational use of blood transfusions, iron therapy (oral and intravenous), erythropoiesis stimulating agents and other therapeutic alternatives by physicians must achieve maximal benefit with minimal complications for our patients. This review article summarizes the main characteristics of anemia, iron metabolism, erythropoiesis and therapeutic alternatives from a surgical perspective in the light of present knowledge.