Effectiveness of autologous transfusion system in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

Autologous transfusion has become a cost-efficient and useful option in the treatment of patients with high blood loss following major orthopaedic surgery. However, the effectiveness of autologous transfusion in total joint replacement remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

The current study analyzed the efficacy of autologous transfusion with washed shed blood (WSB) in primary total knee and total hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA).

METHODS

Between January 2011 and December 2011, patients being treated with a primary TKA (n=162) and/or THA (n=227) and who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to the study in consecutive fashion.

RESULTS

The patient age, BMI and ASA scores showed no statistically significant correlation to the degree of blood loss, quantity of autotransfusion necessary or Hb differential in TKA patients. The use of an autologous transfusion system in TKA and THA is not correlated statistically to a reduction in the amount of allogenic or autologous transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the autotransfusion system does not correlate significantly with the amount of allogenic transfusion in TKA and THA in the current authors' patient cohort. Age, BMI and ASA score appeared not to exert significant influence on the total amount of autotransfusion or Hb difference.