Population
Adult thermal burn patients (n= 80).
Intervention
Restrictive transfusion threshold: haemoglobin less than 8 g/dL (n= 40).
Comparison
Liberal transfusion threshold: haemoglobin less than 10 g/dL (n= 40).
Outcome
The mean haemoglobin level before transfusion was 7.7 ± 0.4 g/dL in the restrictive group and 8.8 ± 0.7 g/dL in the liberal group. The mean number of RBC unit transfusion per patient in the restrictive group was significantly lower than the traditional group (3.28 ± 2.2 units vs. 5.9 ± 3.7 units). The total number of RBC transfused units varied significantly between the two groups. The number of transfused RBC units outside the operation room showed a significant difference between groups (restrictive: 2.8 ± 1.4 units vs. liberal: 4.4 ± 2.6 units). No significant difference in mortality rate or other outcome measures between groups was found.