[Fewer blood transfusions after introduction of auto-transfusion system as part of hip- and knee-replacement surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the effect of the introduction of an auto-transfusion system on the number of homologous blood transfusions required as part of total hip- and knee-replacement surgery.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
The number of homologous blood transfusions required after total hip or knee replacement was compared between a group of 195 patients before and a group of 176 patients after introduction of an auto-transfusion system. The '4-5-6 Flexinorm' was strictly implemented when deciding to use homologous blood transfusion. Composition of the groups and the number of transfusion units of homologous blood (packed cells) required were compared using Student's t test and the chi2 test. In addition multivariate logistic regression analysis was used with the following variables as risk factors for requirement of homologous blood transfusion: gender, age, type of surgery and the use of an auto-transfusion system.


RESULTS
After introduction of the auto-transfusion system there was a reduction in the number of transfusion units given in both the hip- and the knee-replacement group (83% and 98% respectively). The use of the auto-transfusion system was the only variable for prediction of the requirement for homologous blood transfusion in the logistic regression model.


CONCLUSIONS
After the introduction of an auto-transfusion system there was a reduction in the number of homologous blood transfusions required as part of total hip and knee surgery.
Deventer Ziekenhuis, Deventer, The Netherlands.
Hans G E
HG
Hendriks
Ruud H G P
RH
van Erve
Har
H
Salden
Wil C
WC
van der Zwet
Lex F W
LF
Barnaart
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*