title: [Postoperative autologous transfusion from blood drainage after total hip joint arthroplasty--how much value is really there?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Are autologous blood transfusions sufficient or do we need the transfusion of unwashed or washed wound drainage blood in total hip arthroplasty?
  
  
  METHODS
  253 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty were retrospectively randomized to autologous blood transfusion or transfusion of unwashed wound drainage. We compared the haemoglobin and haematocrit levels as well as the rate of complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative blood salvage and reinfusion after total hip joint arthroplasty didn't show any advantages. In 10 % we saw complications after transfusion of unwashed wound drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We do not recommend the transfusion of wound drainage.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076 Tübingen. patrik.reize@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reize
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Endele
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudert
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wülker
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome