Quality of intraoperatively salvaged unwashed blood in hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transfusion of autologous whole blood is one available method to reduce the need for allogenic blood transfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the quality of shed blood collected in a new intraoperative autotransfusion system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study fifteen consecutive patients who were scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty were included. Shed blood was collected with a novel intraoperative autologous blood transfusion system (Sangvia®, AstraTech) from the surgical wound. Blood samples were taken from the transfusion bag. RESULTS: Mean blood loss during operation was 364ml (190-750ml) and mean transfused blood volume was 200ml (30-700ml). Mean haemoglobin concentration was 62g/l (17-91g/l) and mean plasma free haemoglobin concentration was 6.7g/l (1.9-12.7g/l) in transfusion blood. CONCLUSION: The basic laboratory characteristics of intraoperatively salvaged blood with the Sangvia® system are generally in the same range as reported in the studies on the postoperative transfusion of unwashed blood. From a blood quality point of view, our study indicates that transfusion of intraoperatively salvaged unwashed blood with the Sangvia® system in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty is expected to be safe.