Multicentre experience with a simple blood salvage technique in patients with ruptured ectopic pregnancy in sub-Sahelian West Africa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Haemorrhage from ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a major cause of maternal death in Africa. The experience in three hospitals in salvaging intraperitoneal blood with a perforated metallic conical funnel is reported.

METHOD

The blood was transfused back to the patient immediately after salvaging. Data were collected concerning the patient, her clinical state and haemoglobin levels throughout her stay in hospital, the diagnosis, the transfusion, and the complications encountered.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twelve patients were reported prospectively. The preoperative haemoglobin level was 70.6 +/- 18.7 g/l (n = 132). After transfusion of 681 +/- 389 ml (n = 212) of salvaged blood, haemoglobin levels reached 84.7 +/- 10.5 g/l (n = 23) 6 days postoperatively. Twenty-two patients, half of whom had a life-threatening haemodynamic state, were also given donor blood. Twenty patients still had severe anaemia on leaving hospital (blood haemoglobin < 70 g/l). No untoward outcomes attributable to the reinfusion were seen.

CONCLUSION

The surgical treatment of ruptured ectopic pregnancy with intraperitoneal haemorrhage was rendered safe and efficient with this new salvaging equipment.