Haemoglobin difference between the pre - and the first postoperative day ( group 1 : 3.35 1.16 g/dl ; group 2 : 3.56 1.42 g/dl ; p = 0.19 ) , overall blood loss ( group 1 : 665 431.5 ml ; group 2 : 705 881 ml ; p = 0.73 ) and transfusion rates ( 0.4 % intraoperatively ; 2.55 % postoperatively ; p = 1.0 ) did not show group differences .