Accuracy of gravimetric method of blood loss estimation during open myomectomy

Abstract

Background: Estimation of blood loss during surgery is a critical component that may affect patients’ management. Objective: The study evaluated the accuracy of the gravimetric method of blood loss estimation in women with an open myomectomy. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study that evaluated the accuracy of the gravimetric method of measuring blood loss during open myomectomy for patients with symptomatic fibroid at a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. The diagnosis of uterine fibroids was based on clinical examination and ultrasound scan. A proforma was used to record information from those who gave written consent. The gravimetric method and visual estimation were compared with the actual blood loss (ABL) as the gold standard. Statistical analysis was done using Stata version 16. Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean blood loss estimation of the different methods. The significant level was set at P-value <0.05. Results: A total of 78 women who had open myomectomy participated in the study. The mean ABL was 787.11 ± 63.17 mL. The mean blood loss by the gravimetric method was 755.95 ± 492.72 mL, while the mean estimation error by the gravimetric method was 31.16 ± 263.23 mL. The mean difference between the estimated ABL and the loss estimated by the gravimetric method was 31.18 mL. This was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.30). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the ABL and blood loss by visual method (mean difference = 161.64, P-value = 0.02). Conclusion: The gravimetric estimation of blood loss during surgery correlated with actual estimated blood loss. It should be considered in the routine estimation of blood loss during surgery.