Blood conservation techniques in spinal deformity surgery: a retrospective review of patients refusing blood transfusion.
METHODS
A retrospective review.


OBJECTIVE
To review the effectiveness of blood conservation techniques in the spinal fusion of patients that refuse blood transfusion; specifically the Jehovah's witnesses population.


BACKGROUND
Spinal surgery can be challenging in patients refusing blood transfusion. There is paucity in the literature examining blood conservation techniques in spinal surgery.


METHODS
The radiographic and medical records of 19 Jehovah's witnesses patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery at a single institution between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed. Patients were assessed for excessive blood loss (EBL), deformity correction, operative time, perioperative complications, and hospital stay. At latest follow-up (mean, 40 months; range, 8-76) the patients were examined for radiographic fusion, progression and complications.


RESULTS
Spinal fusion was attempted in 19 patients, with a mean age of 17 years (range, 10-36 years). All 19 patients were identified through the "Bloodless Surgery Program." Hypotensive anesthesia, hemodilution, and cell saver was employed for all 19 cases. Erythropoietin with supplemental iron was used in 15 patients. Aprotinin was used in 3 patients. EBL and blood returned by cell saver averaged 855 and 341 mL, respectively. Operative times average 315 minutes. The average drop in hemoglobin from after surgery was 3.1 g/dL. There were 2 intraoperative complications: (i) transient loss of somatosensory evoked potential/motor evoked potential signals; and (ii) one surgery abandoned due to EBL. The average spinal deformity correction was 58%. There were 3 postoperative complications, none related to their refusal of a transfusion. 17 patients were available for radiographic and clinic follow-up of at least 24 months. All displayed radiographic fusion without progression.


CONCLUSIONS
These blood conservation techniques allow satisfactory completion of deformity surgery on those patients not willing to be transfused and without major anesthetic or medical complications.
Joseph
Samuel Abraham
SA
Moreno Spine and Scoliosis, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, USA. sjmdbones@ yahoo.com
Berekashvili
Ketevan
K
Mariller
Marjorie M
MM
Rivlin
Michael
M
Sharma
Krishn
K
Casden
Andrew
A
Bitan
Fabian
F
Kuflik
Paul
P
Neuwirth
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa