Intra-operative autotransfusion--a simple and cost effective method.

Recovery of intrathoracic and intraperitoneal blood and reinfusion by autotransfusion has been demonstrated to be safe and practical in selected cases. This study has basically aimed at using a very simple method for collection and reinfusion of blood in haemothorax and haemoperitoneum. Autotransfusion was done in 50 cases admitted in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana who were diagnosed to have haemothorax or haemoperitoneum which fulfilled the set criteria. There were increased haemoglobin levels in 26 patients and a decreased haemoglobin in 24 patients. The coagulation profile was deranged in 7 patients pre-operatively while it was deranged in only 2 patients postoperatively. There was no significant change in renal function tests and liver function tests preoperatively and postoperatively. This study had shown that intra-operative autotransfusion with this very simple, affordable and easily available technique is feasible and practical and its use should be encouraged.

Autotransfusäo intra-operatória em artroplastia totais de joelho / Intraoperative autotransfusion in total knee arthroplasties

Os autores estudaram a autotransfusäo intra-operatória em artroplastias totais de joelho, unilaterais, cimentadas, primárias. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. No primeiro grupo foram selecionados os pacientes que receberam sangue autólogo de pré-depósito e utilizaram o sistema de salvamento sanguíneo. O grupo-controle foi composto de 16 pacientes tratados com sangue homólogo. Concluem que o uso de sangue autólogo pré-depositado e salvamento sanguíneo intra-operatório é útil para diminuir a necessidade de transfusäo de sangue homólogo. Com relaçäo ao custo, o salvamento sanguíneo intra-operatório só é efetivo quando ocorre o salvamento de 2,5 unidades de sangue. Os componentes do sangue salvado säo semelhantes aos do sangue obtido em veia periférica.

The use of intraoperative autotransfusion as a second stage of autologous blood use in pediatric orthopaedic surgery

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Intraoperative Autotransfusion (IAT) as a second stage in the use of autologous blood to reduce the need of allogeneic transfusions. We reviewed the medical records of 41 pediatric patients who underwent spinal fusion procedures from September 1991, to August 1993. Our experience with IAT started in August 1992. The group of patients was divided into those who only received preoperative donation autologous blood (53.6 percent) and those who received preoperative donation autologous blood and IAT(46.4 percent). The use of preoperative autologous blood donation in combination with IAT has proven to be a safe method of operative blood loss replacement in pediatric age patients. Exclusive use of autologous blood can reduce or eliminate transfusion reactions and exposure to transfusion transmitted agents and helps to increase the blood reserve at blood banks