Parenteral iron in treating surgical patients and the importance of routine evaluation of serum iron-binding capacity: report of three cases.

We have endeavored to show the importance of iron deficiency and to cite a few examples of the systemic effects of such deficiency without anemia. We have shown the need for large-scale screening of patients for iron deficiency and suggest that serum iron and total iron-binding capacity determinations will adequately furnish the vehicle for this purpose. The modes of iron therapy are discussed with the belief that for the surgeon parenteral iron is the best vehicle to replace the deficiency with the least risk.