Quantitative microbiologic study of blood salvaged by intraoperative membrane filtration.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sterility of blood salvaged intraoperatively by a new membrane filtration system for transfusion.


METHODS
Quantitative microbiologic cultures were prospectively collected from units of blood acquired by intraoperative membrane filtration from 18 patients undergoing elective spinal surgery. Medical records were reviewed for adverse events.


METHODS
A 204-bed, medical school-affiliated community hospital.


RESULTS
Quantitative blood cultures were sterile in 12 of 31 units of recovered blood. Of the 19 positive units, 17 units grew only 1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL, 1 unit grew 2 CFU/mL, and 1 unit grew 5 CFU/mL. The only organisms isolated were diphtheroids, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and micrococci. No patient experienced postoperative sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood recovered by intraoperative membrane filtration is microbiologically equivalent to blood salvaged by continuous flow. Because no perfusionist and no expensive capital equipment are required, the technique is amenable to small and medium-sized hospitals that otherwise might financially be unable to provide intraoperative blood salvage.
Nosanchuk
J S
JS
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D009985:Orthopedics; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery
D008567:Membranes, Artificial