Does the preoperative iron status predict transfusion requirement of orthopedic patients?

There was no correlation between the iron status before surgery and the need for transfusion during and after surgery, although anemia before surgery was a predictor for the need for transfusion. Based in our limited study we could not recommend iron status screening before surgery. However further studies are needed to truly establish the incidence and the underlying etiology, in order to reduce the transfusion requirements.