Allogeneic blood transfusion increases the risk of postoperative bacterial infection: a meta-analysis.

Background: Immunosuppression is a consequence of allogeneic (homologous) blood transfusion (ABT) in humans and is associated with an increased risk in cancer recurrence rates after potentially curative surgery as well as an increase in the frequency of postoperative bacterial infections. Although a meta-analysis has been reported demonstrating the relationship between ABT and colon cancer recurrence, no meta-analysis has been reported demonstrating the relationship of ABT to postoperative bacterial infection.

Methods: Twenty peer-reviewed articles published from 1986 to 2000 were included in a meta-analysis.