Impact of preoperative laboratory investigation and blood cross-match on clinical management of pediatric neurosurgical patients

Purpose Studies in the adult literature suggest that preoperative laboratory investigations and cross-match are performed unnecessarily and rarely lead to changes in clinical management. The purposes of this study were the following: (1) to explore whether preoperative laboratory investigations in neurosurgical children alter clinical management and (2) to determine the utilization of cross-matched blood perioperatively in elective pediatric neurosurgical cases. Methods We reviewed pediatric patient charts for elective neurosurgery procedures (June 2010–June 2014) at out institution. Variables collected include preoperative complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, coagulation, group and screen, and cross-match. A goal of the review was to identify instances of altered clinical management, as a consequence of preoperative blood work. The number of cross-matched blood units transfused perioperatively was also determined. Results Four hundred seventy-seven electively scheduled pediatric neurosurgical patients were reviewed. Preoperative CBC was done on 294, and 39.8 % had at least one laboratory abnormality. Electrolytes (84 patients) and coagulation panels (241 patients) were abnormal in 23.8 and 24.5 %, respectively. The preoperative investigations led to a change in clinical management in three patients, two of which were associated with significant past medical history. Group and screen test was performed in 62.5 % of patients and 57.9 % had their blood cross-matched. Perioperative blood transfusions (71 % of these patients were under 3 years of age) were received by 3.6 % of patients (17/477). The cross-match to transfusion ratio was 16. Conclusion This study suggests that the results of preoperative laboratory exams have limited value, apart from cases with oncology and complex preexisting conditions. Additionally, cross-matching might be excessively conducted in elective pediatric neurosurgical cases.