Does washing swabs increase the efficiency of red cell recovery by cell salvage in aortic surgery?
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the contribution of swab washing to the efficiency of red cell recovery by intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) in 10 patients undergoing elective aortic aneurysm repair.


METHODS
Volumes and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were recorded in the blood recovered by direct suction and from washed swabs, both before and after processing with a Haemonetics Cell Saver 5.


RESULTS
The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) estimated blood loss was 991 +/- 403 ml, resulting in a mean +/- SD salvaged RBC volume of 380 +/- 124 ml. The median [interquartile (IQR) range] Hb collected from suction was 84.9 (61.8-131.4) g, of which 50.1 (45-71.5) g was returned to the patient after processing, a median yield of 68 (49-77)%. The swab wash produced a median (IQR) Hb of 39.4 (28.4-64.9) g, of which 26.2 (16.8-31) g was reinfused, a 67 (33-98)% yield. Swab wash thus contributed with a median (IQR) of 31 (24-39)% of the total RBC recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Washing swabs improves the efficiency of red cell recovery by ICS.
Haynes
S L
SL
Academic Surgery Unit, South Manchester University Hospital Trust, Manchester, UK. s_haynes@fs1.with.man.ac.uk
Bennett
J R
JR
Torella
F
F
McCollum
C N
CN
D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods
D006454:Hemoglobins