• S C Cheng, T S L Hung, and P Y T Tse.
• Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. drandycheng@yahoo.com.hk
• J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2005 Aug 1;13(2):120-4.

PurposeTo compare the use of a blood salvage and reinfusion system with standard allogeneic blood transfusion after total knee arthroplasty--a procedure associated with significant postoperative blood loss.MethodsBetween June 2002 and May 2004, 60 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly allocated into a reinfusion group (n = 26) or a control group (n = 34). Patients in the reinfusion group had their blood reinfused from drains within 6 hours of surgery. Both groups received allogeneic blood transfusions according to specified transfusion criteria if the haemoglobin level fell below 90 g/l, or in the presence of severe anaemic symptoms. Haemoglobin levels and drain output were recorded daily for 3 consecutive days after surgery.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the 2 groups in demographic data, drain output, total blood loss, and mean postoperative haemoglobin levels. Significantly more allogeneic blood was required by the control group than by the reinfusion group (p = 0.022).ConclusionPostoperative reinfusion of drained blood reduced the need for blood transfusion after total knee arthroplasty, while having an effect on postoperative haemoglobin level equivalent to standard allogeneic blood transfusion.

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