The role of perioperative transfusion on long-term survival of veterans undergoing surgery.

Objective: To examine the influence of perioperative blood transfusions on perioperative outcomes and late survival.

Background: Perioperative blood transfusion has been reported to have a negative impact on perioperative morbidity but its long-term effect on survival is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of perioperative transfusion on perioperative outcomes and survival.