Transfusion of allogenic leukocyte-depleted packed red blood cells is associated with postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing oral and oropharyngeal cancer surgery.

Evidence indicates that allogenic packed red blood cell transfusion results in the host's immunomodulation, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes after surgery. The aim of this study was to test whether allogenic leukocyte-depleted blood transfusion represents a significant risk factor for postoperative morbidity after oral and oropharyngeal cancer surgery. A total of 142 patients, diagnosed for the first time with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery between 2000 and 2008 were retrospectively included in this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were calculated to identify predictors of postoperative complications. We found a significantly higher complication rate in the group of transfused patients compared to patients not exposed to transfusion (complication rate of 84% and 39%, respectively, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, the amount of packed red blood cells transfused (for 1-4 units transfused: adjusted OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.24-5.39; p=0.011; for more than >4 units transfused: adjusted OR, 5.29; 95% CI, 2.01-13.88; p=0.001) and Charlson's comorbidity score ≥1 (adjusted OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.38-5.70; p<0.004) were independently associated with the development of postoperative complications. Allogenic leukocyte-depleted blood transfusion is independently associated with increased postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. This association follows a dose-response relationship, as patients who received larger amounts of packed red blood cells showed a significant trend toward higher postoperative morbidity.