ABSTRACT
25 Patients were received major spinal surgeries at main operating theater of Kangnam General Hospital from May 1990 to December 1990 by using the Haemonetics cell saver which was employed as an intraoperative blood salvage and autologous blood transfuser. The products of washed red blood cells were an average of 1490 cc packed RBC per case. Under the Light Microscopy, Washed RBC disclosed the morphologies of normal RBC size and shape. Fragmented RBCs or cell debris were not found and in one case agglutinated and denaturated RBCs were seen. While 20 patients were received spinal surgery prior to the utilization of cell saver, an average of 7.85 units of banked whole blood was transfused compared with 5.55 units in the cases of using the cell saver (p<0.05). Homologous banked blood utilization during spinal surgery declined more than 30% with the use of the cell saver. There was no evidence of infection, renal and/or hepatic failure related to the use of the cell saver. Haemonetics cell saver appeared to be safe, efficient and more over in some instanes life saving.