Plano, TX, June 17, 2016 – The number of people who receive perioperative blood transfusions during oncologic abdominal surgeries is on the decline. This is outstanding news, healthcare providers say, for those concerned about the potential risks transfusion may pose.

A decline in the number of transfusions given to cancer patients who underwent surgery to address pancreatic, gastric and hepatic tumors was noted in the period of 2005 and 2013. A recent study into the decline found a decreasing transfusion rate of about 6.1 percent. While transfusions are still sometimes used, and very much required, a number of factors are likely promoting their decline while also lowering morbidity risk, researchers say.

“The study didn’t necessarily delve into the full reasons behind the drop in transfusions, but the numbers are very encouraging,” says Dr. Nick Nicholson, founder and lead surgeon of Abdominal Surgery Specialists, a part of the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery. “Perioperative blood transfusions during oncologic abdominal surgeries can prove to be lifesaving, but they do open the door on potential complications.

Closing this door by making transfusions less necessary is a big step forward.”

A variety of factors are believed to be behind the drop in numbers. They include the number of surgeries being performed at hospitals with stricter transfusion thresholds, improved anesthetic techniques and advances in surgical procedures, among others.

“The introduction of safer, less invasive surgical procedures is believed to be one of the biggest contributors to the drop in transfusions,” says Dr. Nicholson. “Laparoscopic techniques, for example, are known to be associated with dramatically reduced blood loss.”

Major abdominal surgery is a common course of treatment in a number of cancers, including pancreatic, renal and stomach. People who are diagnosed with these conditions should work closely with their healthcare providers to select an appropriate form of treatment that maximizes outcome potential while lowering side effect risks as much as possible.

About Abdominal Surgery Specialists:-
Founded by Dr. Nick Nicholson, one of the country’s leading weight loss surgeons and co-author of “Weight Loss Surgery: The Real Skinny,” Abdominal Surgery Specialists provides patients with a variety of options to treat conditions including gallbladders, hernias, reflux and obesity.