[Reinfusion of autologous shed blood after joint replacement].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of reinfusion of autologous shed blood after joint replacement.


METHODS
From February 1996 to March 1998, we selected 36 patients for 56 joint replacements. Apart from preoperative donation of autologous blood, all patients received transfusion of unwashed autologous drained blood from hips and knees after arthroplasty. The CBCIIConstaVac blood conservation system was used to salvage shed blood. Among the patients, 8 hips and 48 knees were involved. 12 patients had rheumatoid arthritis, 16 osteoarthritis, 5 ankylosing spondylitis, and 3 other arthritis.


RESULTS
36 patients received 24 260 ml (50%) autologous shed blood, 9 700 ml (20%) reserved autologous blood, and 14 600 ml (30%) allogenic blood. 15 patients experienced transient febrile reaction at the time of reinfusion, no other clinic abnormalities were discovered after reinfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Reinfusion of autologous shed blood is a safe and effective to decrease the use of allogenic blood and avoid the complications of its transfusion.
Guan
Z
Z
Arthritis and Clinic Research Center, People's Hospital, Beijing Medical Univercity, Beijing 100044.
Lu
H
H
Kou
B
B
Yuan
Y
Y
Lin
J
J
Yang
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies