Efficacy of autotransfusion in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Although autotransfusion is used in a wide variety of surgical procedures, it is largely unexplored for use in oncologic operations. This study evaluates the impact of autotransfusion in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent hepatectomy by receiving autologous blood transfusion (group 1). Fifty patients receiving homologous blood without any autologous blood were matched for comparison (group 2).


RESULTS
No statistical differences were found between group 1 and group 2 patients in cumulative recurrence rates (62.8% vs 67.3%, respectively) or cumulative survival rates (61.9% vs 52.8%). Autologous transfusion reduced the mean volume of homologous blood used (814 mL vs 3466 mL). The mean postoperative hemoglobin level, platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time were comparable between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Autotransfusion is a safe and effective procedure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy.
Fujimoto
J
J
First Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
Okamoto
E
E
Yamanaka
N
N
Oriyama
T
T
Furukawa
K
K
Kawamura
E
E
Tanaka
T
T
Tomoda
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010976:Platelet Count; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012008:Recurrence; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins