Table 2 Surgery and transfusion variables of patients in the three study groups

Duration of surgery (min)

260 (220–300)

245 (225–320)

255 (235–310)

0.346

Estimated blood loss (ml)

1200 (1100–1800)

620 (550–1200)*

650 (600–1250)*

< 0.001

Percentage of blood loss (%)

23.8 ± 6.3

12.6 ± 7.3*

13.2 ± 7.2*

< 0.001

Number and percentage of patients who received blood, N (%)

13 (72.2%)

6 (30.0%)

7 (36.8%)

0.021

Intraoperative RBC transfusion units

3.2 ± 1.2

2.1 ± 1.1*

2.3 ± 1.3*

0.005

Baseline Hb (before operation)

11.2 ± 1.3

10.9 ± 1.3

11.1 ± 1.4

0.482

Post AHH Hb (after AHH)

9.1 ± 1.3

9.2 ± 1.2

8.9 ± 1.2

0.440

Post-transfusion Hb

10.3 ± 1.4

10.2 ± 1.3

10.1±1.3

0.655

Postoperative Hb

10.5 ± 1.2

10.4 ± 1.4

10.2±1.4

0.165