Dutch orthopedic blood management surveys 2002 and 2007: an increasing use of blood-saving measures.
BACKGROUND
Hip and knee arthroplasties are frequently complicated by the need for allogeneic blood transfusions. The surveys were developed to assess the use of blood-saving measures in orthopedic surgery in the Netherlands in 2002 and 2007.


METHODS
In 2002 and 2007, a questionnaire on blood management measures after several orthopedic procedures was sent to all Dutch orthopedic departments (110 and 96, respectively).


RESULTS
The response was 79% in 2002 and 84% in 2007. The use of preoperative autologous blood donation remained virtually unchanged in 2002 versus 2007 for both hip (10.9 and 10.5%) and knee (5.7 and 8.2%) arthroplasty. In 2007, there was a substantial increase in departments using erythropoietine for hip (31.6–66.1%) as well as knee (24.0–55.5%) arthroplasty. There was an increase of the use of autologous retransfusion of intraoperatively suctioned washed blood in hip (20.3–28.4%) as well as knee arthroplasty (8.9–16.1%) over the 5-year period, but it was predominantly used in revision hip arthroplasty (54.3%). The use of postoperative autologous retransfusion of filtered drained wound blood increased dramatically in 5 years time in hip (11.5–51.0%) and knee arthroplasty (15.9–59.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
There is an evident increase in the preoperative use of erythropoietin and the postoperative use of autologous retransfusion of drained blood among Dutch orthopedic departments. There appears to be an increasing awareness and positive attitude among Dutch orthopedic surgeons to implement perioperative blood-saving measures.
Horstmann
Wieger Geert
WG
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kennemer Gasthuis Haarlem, Boerhaavelaan 22, 2035 RC Haarlem, The Netherlands. WGHorstmann@kg.nl
Ettema
Harmen B
HB
Verheyen
Cees C P M
CC
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin